What Causes E Coli Infection?

Posted on Mon, 1 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 1 Feb 2016 Answered on

Wed, 16 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : hello doc.I want to know the cause of E.Coli infection and the complications.
after taking the medication is it really necessary to check if the bacteria is still present in the urine?

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need if symptoms improved and antibiotics taken completely

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and i understand your concern. E coli in urine is very common and nasty bug. Usually coital habits, toilet habits and poor hygiene introduce the infection.

With the complete course of antibiotics for eradication of e coli with sensitive medications on culture, i don't see a need of repeating the urine for bacteria presence. If your symptoms have improved, you can leave repeated testing.

Just modify good toilet and coital habits and maintain a good hygiene. Oid post coitally, wipe your genitals after peeing or pooing from front to bank in one direction only as e coli is common in stools and may easily come back to genital tract with improper wiping technique.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.

Regards
Khan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar