Many types of bacteria and parasites can infect the colon, causing mild to severe disease. Infection of the colon, also known as infectious colitis, typically occurs due to accidental ingestion of contaminated food or water. Fecal contamination may take place during food or water processing. Infection can also occur from touching food with contaminated hands before eating. Symptoms of an infection of the colon typically involve the gastrointestinal system. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of the infection.
Fever
Fever commonly occurs with certain types of colon infections. Bacteria that commonly cause a fever with infection of the large bowel include E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter jejuni, various species of Shigella and Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Clostridium difficile. Colon infection with the one-celled parasite Entamoeba histolytica also commonly causes fever, reports the medical reference text "Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases."
Abdominal Pain and Cramps
Abdominal pain and cramps occur with most bacterial infections of the colon and some parasitic infections. Causes of bacterial infections of the colon commonly associated with abdominal pain and cramps include Clostridium difficile, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter and E. coli O157:H7, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Colon infection with the parasites Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia also typically cause abdominal pain and cramps.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea typically occurs with most symptomatic infections of the colon. The severity of diarrhea varies, depending on the cause of the illness, the overall health of the patient and other factors. The bacterium Vibrio cholera can cause severe, high-volume, watery diarrhea that may prove life-threatening without fluid replenishment, notes the World Health Organization. Clostridium difficile also commonly causes watery diarrhea, according to CDC.
Bloody Stool
Certain types of colon infections cause intense inflammation, provoking bleeding of the bowel and observable blood in the stool. Causes of colon infections commonly associated with bloody diarrhea include E. coli O157:H7, Entamoeba histolytica, Campylobacter and Shigella, reports CDC.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting may accompany certain types of colon infections, including cholera, listeriosis, giardiasis, campylobacteriosis, E. coli O157:H7 enterocolitis and Clostridium difficile colitis, note the authors of "Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases." Patients with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea run a high risk for dehydration. Intravenous fluid replacement often proves necessary for these patients.
Abdominal Gas and Flatulence
Abdominal gas and increased flatulence often occurs with Giardia infection of the colon, notes CDC. These symptoms prove somewhat distinctive, as they do not typically occur with other common causes of colon infection. Symptoms of giardiasis typically begin seven to 14 days after ingestion of the parasite and may continue for six weeks or longer, according to CDC.
References
- "Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, Sixth Edition"; Gerald L. Mandell, M.D., et al., Editors; 2004
- World Health Organization: Cholera
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Escherichia Coli O157:H7
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Salmonellosis
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: General Information About Clostridium Difficile Infections
