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E. coli is a type of bacteria that normally lives in the intestines of people and animals.

Most E. coli are harmless and actually are an important part of a healthy intestinal tract. However, some E. coli are pathogenic and can cause illness.

Some pathogenic E. coli strains can cause diarrhea while other strains can cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness, and pneumonia.

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Abdominal cramps

Diarrhea, which can be watery or bloody

Nausea or vomiting

Constant fatigue

Fever, usually below 101 degrees Fahrenheit

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How soon do symptoms appear and how long do they last?

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How soon do symptoms appear and how long do they last?

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The time between ingesting the E. coli bacteria and feeling sick is called the “incubation period.” The incubation period is usually 3-4 days after the exposure, but may be as short as 1 day or as long as 10 days. The symptoms often begin slowly and continue to worsen over several days. Healthy people infected with E. coli usually feel better within a week. However, some people have a serious complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), which affects the kidneys. This is more likely to happen to older people and children.

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Young children and older adults are at higher risk of experiencing illness caused by E. coli and more serious complications from the infection.

People who have weakened immune systems are more likely to become ill from ingesting E. coli. This includes patients with AIDS, those taking immunosuppressive medications, and people receiving chemotherapy.

Patients with decreased stomach acid, either due to stomach surgery or medicines that lower stomach acid, have a higher risk of infection.

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Contaminated food:

Ground beef: During the slaughtering process, poultry and meat products can acquire E. coli bacteria from the animals’ intestines.

Unpasteurized milk: E. coli bacteria on a cow's udder or on milking equipment can get into raw milk.

Fresh produce: Runoff from cattle farms can contaminate fields where fresh produce is grown.

Contaminated water:

Poor sanitation can cause water to contain E. coli bacteria from human or animal waste. People can get the infection from drinking contaminated water or from swimming in it.

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Personal contact:

E. coli can spread when an infected person doesn’t wash their hands after having a bowel movement. The bacteria is then spread when that person touches someone else.

Animal contact:

People who work with animals, especially cows, goats, and sheep, are at increased risk for infection. E. coli bacteria can spread in farms and petting zoos.

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To diagnose an illness caused by E. coli infection, the doctor will identify the signs, ask about symptoms, and send a stool sample to a laboratory to test for the presence of E. coli bacteria. The bacteria may be cultured to confirm the diagnosis and identify specific toxins.

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For illness caused by E. coli, there is no cure for the infection.

Treatment for most people consists of getting plenty of rest and drinking a lot of water to prevent dehydration and fatigue.

Antibiotics are not recommended because they can increase the risk of serious complications such as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).

E. coli infection that has caused Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) causes patients to be hospitalized and given supportive care such as IV fluids, blood transfusions, and kidney dialysis.

Over-the-counter medications for diarrhea are not recommended because they slow the digestive system down which prevents the body from getting rid of the toxins

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Avoid Risky foods:

Cook hamburgers until they are 160 degrees Fahrenheit: Meat should be cooked at this proper temperature to make sure all bacteria is killed.

Drink only pasteurized milk, juice, or cider: Any boxed or bottled juice kept at room temperature is likely to be pasteurized, even if the label doesn't say so.

Wash raw produce thoroughly: Careful rinsing can remove dirt and reduce the amount of bacteria that may be clinging to the produce.

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Avoid cross-contamination:

Wash utensils: Use hot soapy water on knives, counter tops, and cutting boards before and after they come into contact with fresh produce or raw meat.

Keep raw foods separate: Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and foods, such as vegetables and fruits.

Wash hands thoroughly: Always wash hands after preparing or eating food, using the restroom, changing diapers, or touching animals.