Fluid Replacement Therapy

The information below about fluid replacement therapy and E. coli infections is not medical advice. We are a law firm that represents E. coli victims throughout the United States. We are publishing this information as a public service. Contact us about compensation for pain and suffering and other damages.

Severe bloody diarrhea associated with an E. coli O157:H7 infection carries with it a high risk of dehydration. Frequent stools cause massive loss of water, and patients often reject oral fluids or may vomit preventing fluid intake. This combination of fluid evacuation and rejection can make fluid replacement therapy vital in the treatment of E. coli O157:H7 infections.

Tarr and Neill (1) recommend (salt water), saline with 5% dextrose (salt water with sugar), or lactated Ringer’s solution (salt water with lactate). Pure water is not used because it will cause an imbalance in the body’s electrolyte concentration, which can cause further complications. The actual type and amount of infusion may be varied depending on several factors such as other medical conditions, blood pressure or kidney problems (1).

If hemolytic uremic syndrome develops, much closer attention is paid to fluid levels due to the severity of the complication and risk of kidney failure. If kidney failure develops, dialysis is necessary. Hypertension can result from high blood pressure caused by kidney malfunction, so antihypertensives may also be used (2).

Sources:

1 Tarr PI, Neill MA. 2001. Escherichia coli O157:H7. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 30:3: 735-751.

2 Razzaq S. 2006. Hemolytic uremic syndrome: an emerging health risk. Am Fam Phys. 74:6: 991-996.

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Keywords: Ecoli infection, fluid replacement therapy, E. coli O157:H7.

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