There are thousands of types of organisms that can cause digestive tract infections that cause diarrhea. In addition to viruses and parasites, diarrhea can also be caused by a number of bacteria. What are the bacteria that cause diarrhea? Come, see the following review.
Diarrhea is a digestive disorder characterized by increased frequency of bowel movements (BAB). In addition, the texture of the stool that is expelled during bowel movements is usually thinner than usual. The emergence of diarrhea is often associated with infections in the digestive tract (gastrointestinal) caused by a variety of organisms, one of which is bacteria.
Know the Four Types of Bacteria that Cause Diarrhea
The following are four types of bacteria that can cause diarrhea:
1. Escherichia coli (E. coli)
E. coli is a type of bacteria that usually lives in the intestines of humans and animals. Most types of E. coli bacteria are harmless and even play a role in keeping your digestive tract healthy. Even so, there are several types of E. coli bacteria that can cause diarrhea.
E. coli bacteria are often found in vegetables or fruits that are not washed clean, raw meat, and fresh milk. To prevent E. coli bacterial infections, it is recommended that you wash fruits and vegetables with running water before consuming them, cook the meat until it is completely cooked, and avoid the consumption of fresh, unpasteurized milk.
2. Salmonella enterica
This bacterium is often the cause of food contamination. Eating food contaminated with this bacterium will cause gastroenteritis, with diarrhea as one of its typical symptoms.
Salmonella enterica bacteria are found in half-cooked eggs, meat, and fruits or vegetables that are not washed clean.
In order to avoid this bacterial infection, you should wash all raw food, such as fruits or vegetables, to always cook food until it is completely cooked, especially for meat and eggs.
3. Campylobcter
Another type of bacteria that can cause diarrhea is Campylobacter. Campylobacter jejuni is a subspecies that most often infects humans. This bacterium is also commonly found in raw chicken meat, dairy products that are not pasteurized, and contaminated water.
Campylobacter bacterial infection is fairly mild, but can be fatal in someone with immune system disorders.
Fortunately, Campylobacter bacterial infection can be prevented by cooking the meat until it is fully cooked, always washing hands after handling livestock or pets, and avoiding the consumption of milk and its unpasteurized processed products.
4. Shigella
Shigella is another bacterium that can cause diarrhea. This bacterium lives in dirty water and food. This bacterial infection will more easily occur in environments with poor sanitation and unclean lifestyles.
To prevent the spread of Shigella infections, you are advised to adopt the correct hand washing habit, as much as possible not to swallow water while swimming, and not to cook when diarrhea is exposed.
Basically, preventing the spread of bacteria that cause diarrhea can be started by processing food ingredients properly and maintaining a clean environment. In addition, maintaining personal hygiene is also important to minimize the spread of bacteria that cause diarrhea to people around.
To kill the bacteria that cause diarrhea, antibiotics are usually required according to doctor's prescription. So, if you or a family member already has diarrhea, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.
