digestive disorders
E. coli Gastroenteritis
Diagnosis ofE. coliGastroenteritis
Sometimes stool tests Stool tests are not done in most people who have diarrhea because most infectious diarrhea goes away on its own, and the symptoms are treated the same regardless of the cause. However, stool tests are done to look for strains ofE. colibacteria or the toxins they produce in certain people, including those who have the following: Bloody stool (hemorrhagic colitis) or blood in the stool that is too small to see Fever Moderate to severe diarrhea Diarrhea lasting more than 7 days A weakened immune system caused by a disorder such as HIV/AIDS or who are taking a drug that can weaken the immune system such as chemotherapy drugs Inflammatory bowel disease Age 70 years or older High risk of spreading the infection to others (for example, health care, day care, or food service workers) Stool tests are also done during known or suspected outbreaks. IfE. coliO157:H7 is suspected, doctors do a stool test for Shiga toxins, which are produced by these bacteria. This test provides results quickly. Other tests, such as sigmoidoscopy, may be done if a doctor suspects that other diseases may be causing the bloody diarrhea. 