--- title: Post-Infectious IBS date: 2021-01-29T14:54:00-08:00 author: admin canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/post-infectious-ibs" section: Resource Library --- [Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / [Irritable Bowel Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome) / # Post-Infectious IBS ### What is Post-Infectious IBS? The observation that the onset of IBS symptoms can be precipitated by gastrointestinal infection dates back to the 1950s. Mechanisms are not known but include changes in the microbiome, use of antibiotics to treat the infection, and an increase in enteroendocrine cells. Several meta-analyses (studies that combine results from previously published research studies and analyze the larger number) have demonstrated an increased risk of IBS in patients after acute gastroenteritis. The most recent meta-analysis of 18 studies reported an incidence of IBS of 10% after acute gastroenteritis. One important, large prospective study was done in a community in Canada, where the town folks of Walkerton were exposed to contaminated drinking water after a heavy rainfall. Pathogens identified in the water included Shiga-toxin-associated *E. coli* (STEC) and *Campylobacter jejuni*. Over seven thousand individuals were exposed, and there were 904 cases of self-reported gastrointestinal symptoms. When the affected individuals were followed for up to two years, 28% developed symptoms of IBS, compared with 10% of controls who did not have diarrhea. Risk factors associated with the development of post-infectious IBS include female gender, younger age, prolonged fever, longer duration of the acute infectious illness, and preexisting anxiety and depression. As with non-post-infectious IBS, the precise mechanism that produces the symptoms is not specifically known. ![](https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/aboutirritablebowelsyndromecom-images/outbreaks/image8.png)Post-infectious IBS risk factors [ Next: Dyspepsia and Gastroparesis › ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/dyspepsia-gastroparesis) ### More Information [August 23, 2023 ###### Listeria outbreak: Three die after drinking contaminated milkshakes Three people have died, and three others are in hospital after drinking milkshakes contaminated with listeria bacteria in the US state of Washington, health officials say. Marler Clark, the Listeria ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/listeria-outbreak-three-die-after-drinking-contaminated-milkshakes) [July 12, 2023 ###### 2011 Listeria outbreaks linked to cantaloupes: A history A total of 148 persons infected with any of the five outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes were reported to the CDC from 28 states. The number of infected persons identified ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/2011-listeria-outbreak-linked-to-cantaloupes-a-history) [May 20, 2023 ###### A quick look at the 2018 Hepatitis A outbreak Litigation proceeded in a Virginia state court against Tropical Smoothie and the strawberry supply chain. 134 people with Hepatitis A were reported from nine states, including: Arkansas (1), California (1) ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/a-quick-look-at-the-2018-hepatitis-a-outbreak) [March 26, 2023 ###### Listeria linked to yogurt prompts recall Clio Snacks of Piscataway, New Jersey, is voluntarily recalling 581 cases of its Strawberry Granola & Greek Yogurt Parfait Bar due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/listeria-linked-to-yogurt-prompts-recall) [1. View all ](/news_events/outbreaks?illness=e-coli&year=all) ## All Irritable Bowel Syndrome Resources [###### What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/what-is-irritable-bowel-syndrome) [###### Causes of IBS ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/causes-of-ibs) [###### Post-Infectious IBS ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/post-infectious-ibs) [###### Dyspepsia and Gastroparesis ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/dyspepsia-gastroparesis) [###### IBS Diagnosis ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/ibs-diagnosis) [###### IBS Treatment ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/ibs-treatment) [###### Irritable Bowel Syndrome References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/irritable-bowel-syndrome-references) ### Other foodborne illnesses [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) [Salmonella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella) [Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) [Hepatitis A](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a) [Reactive Arthritis](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome) [Norovirus](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus) [Botulism](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism) [Campylobacter](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter) [Shigella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella) [Cyclospora](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome)