Colitis
Alternate Names : Inflammation of the Colon
What can be done to prevent the condition?
Colitis is not always preventable. To reduce the risk of infectious colitis, a person can:
avoid drinking from streams or lakes
drink bottled water when traveling to places where there may be poor sanitation
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
Long-term effects depend on the cause of the colitis. Colitis that is caused by infection usually goes away when treated with medicine. Poor blood flow to the colon may cause the tissue in the bowels to die. This is a life-threatening condition known as bowel infarction. Inflammatory bowel disease may cause permanent changes in the bowel. It can even cause colon cancer.
What are the risks to others?
Infectious colitis can be contagious. Those affected should wash their hands with soap before handling food or drink. Other causes of colitis are not contagious.
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