E coli

[PurpleParis]

Just a quick question....if someone has been hospitalised with pneumonia but then blood tests have shown it isn't that but e coli....is it safe to visit them? I thought, probably incorrectly that it was contagious?

Thanks in advance

[Buenchico]

Everyone has E Coli bacteria in their bowels. (They form part of the normal digestive process). However a few particular strains of E. Coli are able to get from the intestines into the bloodstream, which can lead to extremely unpleasant consequences.

Those nasty strain of bacteria will be present within the faeces of an infected person. If they fail to observe proper hygiene (i.e. washing their hands after using the loo), the bacteria can be transferred elsewhere, with the greatest risk to other people being if the infected person handles food which is then eaten by someone else.

Within a hospital setting, the standards of hygiene are high (and a patient is unlikely to be serving you food which they've prepared), so the chances of becoming infected through visiting someone with an E coli infection are effectively zero.

I'd be far more concerned about visiting someone with pneumonia, as the bacteria and viruses which can lead to that condition are probably airborne and thus pushed in your direction every time the patient exhales.

Chris

[Sqad]

I am a bit confused here.........are you saying that this patient has e.coli pneumonia? If so, then it would be perfectly safe to visit.

If you are saying that this patient isn't suffering from pneumonia, but e.coli enteritis then visiting would involve strict barrier nursing procedures.

Other than that, i can add nothing further to Buenchico's full answer.

[PurpleParis]

Thanks guys.....she was taken in with suspected pneumonia, then when her blood tests came back it showed she had an abnormal level of e coli....I did realise that we all have it in us....she has come home yesterday after a week in the hospital, she was on intraveneous antibiotics and they say she is to stay on oral tablets for the next few days. Thanks for the advice....I just wanted to make sure it was ok for us all to visit.