E coli, what's that all about then. (for medics)
E coli, what's that all about then. (for medics)
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Discussion

silverback mike

Original Poster:

11,293 posts

282 months

Tuesday 29th March 2005
quotequote all
Adding to my previous medical questions about my 2 yr old daughter who hasn't been very well, what with numerous water infections, and throwing up everywhere.....

Well, we went to hospital, were seen by the doctor and a wee sample squeezed out of my daughter....I get a phone call today saying they have detected e coli, and want another sample from her. So consequently, I will be following her around tonight, nappy off hoping to catch a squirt of wee whenever she sees fit. (It was so much easier with my son)

My question is.....e coli? is that a food bug or what, and is it likely to be detrimental to her overall well being?
The doc was excellent with her, but in all of the drama I suppose I forgot to ask the basics.

Any help gratefully received, and feel free to have a laugh thinking of me wandering around after her with a foil container.....

I bet the little monkey waits for me to look away and wee's on the telly or something.

FunkyNige

9,813 posts

304 months

Tuesday 29th March 2005
quotequote all
There are lots of different types of e-coli - you have one harmless strain in your gut anyway, and I've got another strain in my fridge at work.

I learnt that from a microbiology course (which to my surprise didn't involve colouring small things in green and red) so I'm sure someone with a bit more medical info will be along shortly.

Pies

13,116 posts

285 months

Tuesday 29th March 2005
quotequote all
Its a very very very common bacteria,depending upon the strain it can kill

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/medical_notes/83169.stm

pdV6

16,442 posts

290 months

Tuesday 29th March 2005
quotequote all
Found this:

www.ifst.org/hottop1.htm

They're calling it "VTEC", so maybe this thread can move to GG?

Plotloss

67,280 posts

299 months

Tuesday 29th March 2005
quotequote all
A load of people contracted the nasty sort at Glasto in 97.

Its a bacterium.

silverback mike

Original Poster:

11,293 posts

282 months

Tuesday 29th March 2005
quotequote all
pdV6 said:
Found this:

www.ifst.org/hottop1.htm

They're calling it "VTEC", so maybe this thread can move to GG?


Thanks folks.....VTEC...I always knew she had variable timing and like her mum can rev right up there

dazren

22,612 posts

290 months

Tuesday 29th March 2005
quotequote all
Pies said:
Its a very very very common bacteria,depending upon the strain it can kill

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/medical_notes/83169.stm

Er, pies mate. An award for the most inappropriate smilie of the day perhaps?

Mike hope she gets well soon. A few Bristol PHers will be thinking about your challenge for the evening, whilst sat in the curry house later on tonight.

DAZ

silverback mike

Original Poster:

11,293 posts

282 months

Tuesday 29th March 2005
quotequote all
Cheers Daz...I'll get there one day.

Pies

13,116 posts

285 months

Tuesday 29th March 2005
quotequote all
dazren said:

Pies said:
Its a very very very common bacteria,depending upon the strain it can kill

<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/medical_notes/83169.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/medical_notes/83169.stm</a>


Er, pies mate. An award for the most inappropriate smilie of the day perhaps?

Mike hope she gets well soon. A few Bristol PHers will be thinking about your challenge for the evening, whilst sat in the curry house later on tonight.

DAZ

I meant to use one of thes ( to get but hit the wrong key and got ) to give

Julian64

14,325 posts

283 months

Tuesday 29th March 2005
quotequote all
No problem. Its one of the many water work infections you can get.

Its importance changes with age. In an adult its a fairly common cause of water work infections, much more so in women than men.

Its fairly rare in children, to the extent that if its found it usually warrents further investigation in the form of an ultrasound scan of the kidneys and bladder.

Theory is, that if its found in a child it may be associated with a developmental abnormality of the urinary system. This is very rare but very important to find. It can be a cause of kidney scarring if left unchecked.

If they don't find an abnormality likely she'll get a course of abs and that'll be it. If they do find an abnormality it'll likely mean she goes on long term antibiotics until she's a teenager.

This stuff is usually better taken one day at a time to avoid discussing all possible roads.

silverback mike

Original Poster:

11,293 posts

282 months

Tuesday 29th March 2005
quotequote all
Thanks Julian.

simpo two

92,679 posts

294 months

Tuesday 29th March 2005
quotequote all
E. coli is the guinea-pig of microbiology. You have gazillions of them living in your gut, naturally, and they help to keep opportunistic pathogens out. However certain strains are pathogenic (disease-causing) and can be nasty, eg the food poisoning strain. Detection of E. coli or other coliform bacteria in seawater, drinking water etc is a sign of sewage contamination - I wonder if your daughter has inadvertently got an infection from what's charmingly known as the faecal-oral route?

Anyway, whatever strain it is, it's been found in good time so I'm sure it can be fixed promptly