Treatment of E. coli Infection

What you need to know

Fluids

People with diarrhea should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Dehydration is not having enough water in the body.

Anti-diarrheal medication

Talk to your healthcare provider before taking anti-diarrheal medication, such as Imodium^®.^*

Taking anti-diarrheal medication might help with diarrhea and cramps, but it might make your illness last longer.

Some people should not use anti-diarrheal medication.

• Do not use anti-diarrheal medication with high fever or bloody diarrhea.
• Do not use anti-diarrheal medication with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection. Using anti-diarrheal medication with STEC infection can increase the chance of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
• Do not use anti-diarrheal medication containing bismuth subsalicylate with children younger than 12. Medications with bismuth subsalicylate include Pepto-Bismol^® and Kaopectate^®.^*

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are sometimes used treat to severe intestinal illness. They also are sometimes used to treat people at risk for severe illness. But the good news is that most people with E. coli infection recover without needing to take antibiotics.

Do not use antibiotics with STEC infection. Using antibiotics with STEC infection can increase the chance of HUS.

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