Enterococcus faecalis is an enterococcus bacteria frequently present in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals. It can cause serious health problems when it is transmitted from person to person via physical contact. Typically, this bacteria is transferred to water and soil through feces from animals. Preventing transmission generally involves thoroughly washing hands after cleaning pet waste and employing proper hand-washing techniques after using the restroom. Hospitalized patients are especially vulnerable to enterococcus faecalis because of their weakened condition and because the bacteria is known to populate catheters and rectal thermometers.
Sometimes, in a hospital or long-term care setting, instruments can be transferred between patients. If they are not properly sanitized, or if the health care providers do not properly wash their hands, the patient can become infected. Because a hospital-acquired, or nosocomial, infection can contribute to complications in the patient, every effort relating to proper infection control standards needs to be considered. Physicians also must be alerted if a patient exhibits symptoms such as severe abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. In addition, fever or blood in the stool should alert the physician to begin testing stool and blood to rule out an enterococcus faecalis bacterial infection.
Commonly, enterococcus faecalis is the bacteria responsible for infections of surgical wounds and the urinary tract. This bacteria is often mistaken for the streptococci infection and sometimes it is mistakenly not considered to be serious. Some strains of the enterococcus faecalis bacteria are resistant to treatment with antibiotics, so eradicating it from the body is often challenging. Typically, the bacteria is especially hearty and can thrive even in acidic and alkaline environments, both of which are hostile to most bacteria. Although there are no exact ways to prevent acquiring this resistant bacterial infection, steps can be taken to reduce the risk.
Eating a healthy diet rich in fiber generally helps the gastrointestinal system function at an optimal level and promotes regularity. Usually, when the gastrointestinal system is healthy, the naturally occurring enterococcus faecalis bacteria will have a more difficult time causing systemic complications. Preventing this infection is easier than treating it. Simple hygiene practices generally keep the infection at bay, but when symptoms present themselves, they need to be evaluated and treated as soon as possible to prevent complications. These complications can include dehydration and secondary infection, which can lead to severe kidney damage if not properly treated.