Do Probiotics Kill Bad Bacteria?

Intestinal infections occur in millions of people every year. In addition to uncomfortable symptoms that can decrease quality of life, untreated infections can lead to severe complications. Although intestinal infections can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, the majority are from viruses and bacteria. Probiotics are often used to restore the balance of normal gut flora in bacterial infections of the intestine.

Intestinal Infection Symptoms

Intestinal infections can cause tremendous discomfort and pain. Typical symptoms of bacterial infection in the gut might include abdominal pain, cramping, excessive gas, fever and excessive diarrhea. In most cases, these symptoms are bothersome and decrease quality of life. However, untreated intestinal infections can cause dehydration, sepsis, bowel perforation and even death.

Gut Flora

The intestine is heavily colonized by normal gut flora that help the body digest food and usually are not harmful. The normal balance of intestinal flora is unique to each person. Unfortunately, intestinal infections can occur from colonization by non-native bacteria or from the overgrowth of certain native bacteria.

Common Bacteria in Intestinal Infections

Although many types of bacteria can cause intestinal infections, some of the most common species include salmonella, shigella, campylobacter jejuni, E. coli and clostridium. Many of these organisms are part of the normal gut flora. However, certain circumstances can disrupt the balance, allowing one or more organisms to proliferate and cause an infection.

Risk Factors for Infection

Since intestinal bacteria are passed through the feces, they are easily transmitted from one individual to another. An isolated infection can quickly spread to the surrounding population. Risk factors include traveling to exotic locations where you come in contact with non-native microorganisms. Health care workers and immuno-compromised individuals are also at increased risk. In addition, the use of certain medications, such as antibiotics, can disrupt the normal balance of intestinal flora and increase the risk of infection. The most important methods of preventing intestinal infections are hand hygiene and safe food preparation.

Probiotics and Bad Bacteria

Probiotics are living cultures of microorganisms that can be ingested orally to restore a normal balance in the gut. The most common probiotics used contain lactobacillus bacteria or saccharomyces boulardii, a type of yeast. Although probiotics are unlikely to directly kill harmful organisms in the gut, they establish a competitive environment by competing for nutrients. As a result, they may slow the proliferation of harmful bacteria until the immune system or antibiotics can eradicate the infection.