--- 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 13, 2026 ###### Cyclospora and the 2026 Taylor Farms Outbreak: Questions and Answers Marler Clark represents people sickened in the 2026 Cyclospora outbreak and has filed cases naming Taylor Farms entities as defendants. The answers below are written for people trying to understand ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/cyclospora-and-the-2026-taylor-farms-outbreak-questions-and-answers) [August 13, 2026 ###### Salmonella and the 2026 Jalapeño Outbreak: Frequently Asked Questions Marler Clark — The Food Safety Law Firm | Updated August 13, 2026 The questions below come in two parts. The first covers Salmonella generally — what it does, how ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/salmonella-and-the-2026-jalape%C3%B1o-outbreak-frequently-asked-questions) [August 08, 2026 ###### FAQ's: The 2026 Cyclospora Outbreak: Questions and Answers for the Public Updated Saturday, August 8, 2026. Everything below is drawn from the federal and state health department pages linked in the answers, and the numbers move, so check the links before ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/faqs-the-2026-cyclospora-outbreak-questions-and-answers-for-the-public) [July 27, 2026 ###### The Cyclospora Lawsuits Have Begun On July 16, health officials linked shredded lettuce sold at US-based Taco Bell restaurants to the cyclosporiasis outbreak. Within hours, the lawsuits began. At least four lawsuits have been filed ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/the-cyclospora-lawsuits-have-begun) [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)