Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsContagious StrainsTransmissionIncubation and SymptomsTreatmentClearing the InfectionLimiting the Spread
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Contagious Strains
Transmission
Incubation and Symptoms
Treatment
Clearing the Infection
Limiting the Spread
Infectious colitis is often passed to humans due to eating ingesting food or water. Symptoms that includefrequent bowel movementsandbloody stoolsoften occur as acute problems.
This article describes infectious colitis, its causes, and how it is passed to humans. It also explains treatments, the length of sickness, and ways to prevent it.
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Infectious Colitis vs. Ulcerative Colitis
While infectious colitis andulcerative colitisboth cause inflammation of the colon and have overlapping symptoms, they are two distinct conditions that differ in the following ways:
Ulcerative colitis is a chronicinflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation andulcers(sores) along your digestive tract, beginning in your rectum and extending to parts or all of your colon. While medication can reduce inflammation and symptoms, the only cure involves surgical removal of the affected areas of your colon and rectum.
Contagious Strains of Infectious Colitis
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi
Fungi are multicelled, plant-like organisms. You can develop fungal infectious colitis after breathing in airborne microscopic fungal spores. Fungi are most dangerous to people with a weakened immune system. A common cause of fungal infectious colitis isHistoplasma.
Protozoa
Protozoa are one-celled parasites that are bigger than bacteria. They typically spread when they are consumed in contaminated water or food. A common cause of protozoan infectious colitis isEntamoeba histolytica.
Viral vs. Bacterial Infection: What’s the Difference?
Infectious Colitis Transmission
Infectious colitis transmission can easily occur. The germs that cause infectious colitis are easily spread through several pathways, including the following:
Infectious Colitis and Sexually Transmitted InfectionsWhen infectious colitis is tied tosexually transmitted infections (STIs), research indicates that the disease occurs more often in men who have sex with men, especially among people who are living withhuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV). STIs such aschlamydia,gonorrhea, andsyphiliscan be involved.
Infectious Colitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections
When infectious colitis is tied tosexually transmitted infections (STIs), research indicates that the disease occurs more often in men who have sex with men, especially among people who are living withhuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV). STIs such aschlamydia,gonorrhea, andsyphiliscan be involved.
Colitis Incubation and Start of Symptoms
The colitisincubation period(the time it takes for symptoms to develop after exposure to an infectious agent) differs based on the pathogen involved. In most cases, it takes time for the pathogen to make you feel sick enough to have symptoms.
Incubation periods for common infectious colitis pathogens include:
Symptoms of infectious colitis can vary based on the source of your illness. Other factors, such as your age and general health, can also affect your reaction. The following groups of people are more likely to get sick and have serious reactions:
Common symptoms of infectious colitis include:
Contact your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms:
Symptoms of Colitis
Treatment for Contagious Infectious Colitis
Infectious colitis treatment varies based on the pathogen causing the disease and the person affected. In otherwise healthy people, treatment involves relieving symptoms. Age, general health, and other underlying conditions can affect your needed treatment.
Initial treatment for infectious colitis typically involves the following:
Based on your condition and the severity of your symptoms, treatment may also include the following:
Antibiotics:Medications to fight bacterial infections when the source of your infectious colitis is bacteria
Antifungals: Medications to treat fungal infections when fungi are the source of your infectious colitis
How Ulcerative Colitis Is Treated
When Are You No Longer Contagious With Colitis?
While you can be contagious before and long after you have symptoms of infectious colitis, you are likely to be most infectious when symptoms are most severe, usually during the second and third days of your illness. However, viruses can remain contagious for up to three weeks after your symptoms start.
Bacterial infections treated with antibiotics for colitis can remain infectious for 48 hours to 14 days after you begin treatment based on how long your body takes to absorb them.
Consult with your healthcare provider for advice on how long you may be contagious based on your condition and treatment.
Limiting Colitis Contagiousness
Limiting colitis contagiousness includes the following strategies to prevent your exposure to pathogens likely to cause this disease:
Always wash your hands before cleaning or cooking food. Rewash them after touching raw meat.
Thoroughly clean utensils, cutting boards, dishes, and surfaces that have come in contact with raw meat, fish, poultry, or eggs.
Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs from other uncooked foods in your shopping cart and refrigerator.
Use a food thermometer to cook meats to the temperature recommended to prevent food poisoning. Recommended cooking temperatures include:
Maintain a temperature of 40 degrees F or lower in your refrigerator. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking or one hour if food is exposed to a temperature above 90 degrees F, like in a hot tray.
Wash your hands before eating food. Avoid close contact with people who have a known bowel infection.
When traveling to areas that may have unclean water and unsafe food handling, take the following precautions:
What Is Food Poisoning?
Summary
Symptoms can include diarrhea, fever, and bloody stools. The problem typically resolves on its own in healthy people. However, it can cause severe symptoms in children, older people, and anyone with a weakened immune system.
Finding the cause of the illness can help you get the right treatment. Most cases improve with hydration, rest, and a clean diet. When bacteria cause the illness, you may need antibiotics to clear your symptoms.
You can reduce your risk of getting and spreading this illness. Practice safe food handling and frequent handwashing. If you become sick, limit your contact with others until your healthcare provider advises you can no longer spread the disease.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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