Yes, it is possible. E coli are part of the intestinal tract bacteria. There are many kinds.

Well...learn something new every day! I've only heard about the kind from tainted food! Thanks

The e.coli on the tainted food has nothing to do with the food. Rather it is from the manure that is put into the soil. If you don't wash well enough, you are ingesting e.coli from the manure.

In the sister's case, some stool probably got on either her hand or a caregiver's hand/glove and got into her bloodstream that way (via the mouth, mucus membrane, or open sore). Sorry she is so sick.

Sorry CB about your sister..not a good thing.

Thanks! Ruthie...this isn't MY sister...but ths sister of a friend! Bless her heart...she's already out lived the time they gave her by 10-12 years!

Agree that the E.coli in this situation is different than that which typically cause food borne infections that make the news.

In the sister's case, some stool probably got on either her hand or a caregiver's hand/glove and got into her bloodstream that way (via the mouth, mucus membrane, or open sore).

Respectfully disagree with this as likely "probability". E.coli is a normal flora (bacteria) in everyone's intestinal tract. It is probably the most common organism causing UTI's. This is because of the close proximity of the urinary opening to the anus. When a person has a Foley catheter this tube is a conduit for bacteria lurking in the perineal area to migrate up the catheter, into & infecting the bladder. The problem is compounded with the adult diapers which hold the stool in warm, moist, dark environment (perfect growing conditions) close to the urinary opening &/or catheter. If the UTI/bladder infection goes undetected for a few days, then it can lead to a blood stream infection (sepsis). I believe, iirc, E.coli UTI is also the most common source for blood stream infection. However, there are other precursors for blood stream infections, i.e. pneumonia, wounds, abscesses, contaminated needles, to name a few. And of course, there are other organisms besides E.Coli that cause UTI or sepsis.

As an aside...
Women who suffer from repeated UTI's should be instructed that after using the bathroom they should wipe front to back (rather than the reverse) because it's likely she is dragging fecal contaminants toward her urinary meatus.

I know.... probably more than you wanted to know... LOL

You are right Bee.

When I was in the hosp in 2002 for infection in 3 disks. I couldn't walk and was bed bound because of the pain, and they were trying to treat the infection with strong anti-biotics. (another story...those made me loony and i saw people who were not there and heard things) I had a catheter and all of a sudden I was so sick, they rushed me into a different room and people coming in had to wear hazmat clothes. I remember this, but was too out of it to ask any questions. I found out later I had E Coli.I had been bed bound for over 3 months and after the surgery to remove the discs, it was hard to get my strength and able to walk again.

Bee, that probably was more information than anyone wanted to know...but you did a public service by providing the information, because people need to know! Thank you!

hosp's and nursing homes are a hotbed of germs! 2 years ago when dgs was born, they wern't allowing visitors on the maturnity floor for several days...

People can get real sick in hospitals. There are super-germs in local hospitals often. When we were visiting Mom, we had to wear gowns and gloves, and whatever came into her room couldn't leave. When the kitchen would put Ensures and Gatorades etc in her room, even though they were unopened, if she didn't drink them they had to be thrown out.

Thank you for that information,Bee! I'm actually going to copy it and email it to my friend. I'm not sure if it matters, but my friends sister does not have a regular catheter. She is so prone to UTI's that they removed the kind she had, and surgically put in what they called a "pubic catheter"(directly into her belly/bladder).Regardles of the reason she has E.Coli...she's a very sick woman.

Thanks again,Bee!!! :)

Will keep her in my thoughts.

Also, I've been wondering how your grandson is doing after his football injury. Please keep us updated on both of them!

Tami

I'm so glad to hear from you Bump. You haven't been here in a while and I am wondering if it's because of your grandson.

((Brenda))

I'm sure you can add to the Pet's Quirks thread with your little munchkins.