Diagnosis of EPEC

There are several ways to detect an infection with EPEC pathogens. Either by detecting the pathogens or their components in a stool sample or by detecting specific antibodies against the EPEC pathogens in a blood test. Escherichia Coli – bacteria can be cultivated on special culture media and thus classified.

Also an exact detection of certain proteins, which are only produced by EPEC, can be done by a laboratory. These proteins are also responsible for the pathogenic properties of the EPEC bacteria. Diagnostics aimed specifically at the detection of EPEC pathogens are usually only carried out in cases of justified suspicion of an infectious gastrointestinal disease, for example, due to severe diarrhea lasting several days.

Treatment of EPEC

One of the most important therapeutic steps in diarrheal diseases is a sufficient fluid intake. Due to the diarrhoea, the body loses a large amount of water. In order to compensate for this, care should be taken to drink a sufficient amount of water.

This is especially true for children. It is possible that the absorption of water and electrolytes through the intestines is no longer sufficient to cover the losses. In this case, the fluid and salt balance can be balanced via infusions.

This may require in-patient monitoring in a hospital. In very severe cases, the kidneys may be affected. In this case, dialysis can minimize damage.

For adults, a guideline of about three liters per day is given as a benchmark. Special electrolyte and sugar solutions, which you can buy in many pharmacies, are particularly suitable. They are not only used to supply water, but also compensate for salt losses.
In case of severe diarrhea, a doctor should always be consulted. This is especially true for diseases in childhood.
It is also possible that drugs are administered. These include drugs to alleviate diarrhea and antibiotics.

Duration of an EPEC infection

Usually the disease begins with watery diarrhea. The disease limits itself by itself. This means that the pathogens are excreted with the stool via the intestine over a period of several days and then after a certain period of time are usually eliminated from the intestine.

Without complications, the diarrhea usually heals after a few days. EPEC – bacteria can, however, also cause asymptomatic infections. In this case the bacteria colonize the intestine without causing diarrhea or other symptoms.

EPEC bacteria can survive in the intestines of healthy persons, especially if hygiene standards are lower. Even if the affected persons do not show any symptoms themselves, they still excrete EPEC – bacteria and can thus infect other persons. Even after surviving diarrhoea, some of the EPEC bacteria can remain in the intestine.

An infection with EPEC – bacteria usually lasts a few days (approx. 2-10 days).
There is an incubation period before symptoms begin. This can last several hours to days. Its duration depends on individual factors as well as on the amount of bacteria ingested.