Overview
People worry about getting infections through mosquitos and dog bites, but one of the easiest ways you can have an invasive bacterial colony living inside you is by consuming unhygienic food. A range of pathogens from E.Coli to Salmonella can come flooding into your guts once you take that bite of a not-so-fresh burger or pizza. These microbes can disrupt the normal functioning of your gastrointestinal system, which can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, blood in stool, constipation, or bloating. Some pathogens are dangerous enough to cause ulceration. One infamous example is Helicobacter Pylori, which is a leading cause of peptic ulcers. These pathogens are primarily bacterial in origin, even though some intestinal infections can be viral, too. Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics for intestinal bacterial infections. However, to get rid of a bacterial infection in the stomach, a doctor may ask for some history of your illness and maybe even recommend some tests before they prescribe you the best antibiotics for your condition.
What antibiotics treat intestinal bacteria?
Doctors will prescribe you specific antibiotics depending on the severity, timeline, and type of infection since GI infections aren’t treated with a one-fits-all approach. For example, Doxycycline is the first-line treatment for Cholera, while Azithromycin is the preferred treatment for Cholera in children. Similarly, Ceftriaxone is prescribed to counter severe or resistant Shigellosis. However, whatever the type of bacteria is, your antibiotic prescription might hold one or more of these antibiotics for stomach infections.
- Metronidazole
- Ciprofloxacin
- Azithromycin
- Ceftriaxone
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
- Tetracycline
- Levofloxacin
- Erythromycin
- Ampicillin
- Vancomycin
- Fidaxomicin
- Clindamycin
- Penicillin
- Cefixime
- Rifaximin
What are the symptoms of bacterial infection in the stomach and intestines?
Symptoms for bacterial infection in the stomach vary depending on the type of bacteria and the health profile of the affected person. Each bacterial infection has its own course of action which may be different in terms of incubation period and infectivity timeline.
However, generally, a patient might experience these symptoms during the course of the disease. It is important to note that experiencing these symptoms isn’t always a cause for alarm, but staying in touch with a medical expert to monitor your disease is recommended because if left untreated symptoms can worsen and lead to severe disease. For example, dehydration is a common issue that people notice as a result of diarrhea and vomiting, dehydration can eventually lead to abnormal functioning of organs leading to further symptoms such as dizziness and dry mouth.
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Nausea
Fever
Constipation
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain or cramps
Dehydration
Bloating
What antibiotics treat intestinal viral infection?
Antibiotics do not treat viral causes of infections since they are made solely to counter bacteria and not viruses. At times, however, doctors may prescribe antibiotics as a preventative measure to suppress possible future infections. It is strictly advised not to take any antibiotics without a doctor’s advice since taking antibiotics without the presence of a bacterial infection can cause the elimination of the natural symbiotic bacteria that are actually beneficial for our digestive system.
When to consult a doctor?
If you suspect a GI infection, it is best to speak to a medical expert as soon as possible to get the right treatment protocols. However, if you experience the following symptoms, you might have to seek urgent care immediately.
- Blood in stool
- Tarry Stool
- Excessive vomiting
- High Fever
- Abdominal palpitations
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
- Sudden weight loss
- Severe abdominal pain
- Weakness
FAQs about the antibiotics for intestinal bacterial infection
In most situations, antibiotics are the fastest way to get rid of a bacterial infection in the stomach because antibiotics are designed expertly to get rid of bacterial infections. However, it is essential to know that certain antibiotics are more effective against specific bacteria.
In most mild infections, if your immune system is healthy and well developed, the body mounts a response and clears the infection almost immediately, thanks to the innate immune system. However, if the body fails to recognize the invading pathogen, it might be able to bypass the immune system and begin colonizing within the body.
At times, your body’s innate immune system acts as a shield against invading pathogens. Therefore, pathogens are eliminated immediately, even before they can cause any harm to us. If the immune system encounters an unfamiliar or strong pathogen, it might need some time to mount an appropriate response. This response can take anywhere from one to two weeks to kill the invaders. If the infection persists after three weeks, seeking professional help may be necessary.
