E. COLI O157:H7 INFECTION

FACT SHEET

What is E. coli O157:H7?

Escherichia coli or E. coli are bacteria that normally live in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. Most strains (or types) of E. coli are harmless and do not cause illness. Only a few of the strains can cause gastro-intestinal illness. The E. coli O157:H7 strain can cause severe diarrhea and kidney damage.

How do you get it?

People can become infected by eating contaminated foods. Meat (especially beef) can become contaminated during the slaughtering process. Eating meat (especially ground meat) that is rare or inadequately cooked is the most common way of becoming infected. Fresh vegetables and unpasteurized fruit juices or milk can also become contaminated. Person to person transmission can also occur, especially in child care settings and by drinking or swimming in contaminated water. Anyone can become infected with E. coli O157:H7 but the very young and the elderly are more likely to develop serious illness.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection can range from very mild or no symptoms at all, to very severe, bloody diarrhea and kidney failure. Most recognized cases develop severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Blood is often present in the stool, but there is usually little or no fever.

How soon do infected people get sick?

People infected with E. coli O157:H7 usually develop symptoms about three days after exposure; however this can vary from 1 to 9 days.

What should I do if I think I have been exposed to E. coli O157:H7?

If you are having bloody diarrhea, you should contact your doctor. Antibiotics are not effective in treating this infection. E. coli O157:H7 can produce a toxin (poison) that can cause kidney damage or problems with the bloodstream. Your doctor can order tests that will identify whether or not E. coli O157:H7 is the cause of your illness. Other medications can help with the more serious symptoms.

How can we prevent E. coli O157:H7 infection?

The most important way to prevent or reduce the transmission of any gastro-intestinal disease is proper handwashing with soap and water. It is also important to handle raw meat (especially hamburger) properly:

• refrigerate raw meat as soon as possible until ready to use
• clean all surfaces and utensils touched by raw meat
• cook ground meat thoroughly, the inside should not be pink
• avoid raw milk products or unpasteurized fruit juices
• wash hands before and after handling foods, after using the bathroom or after changing diapers (wash baby’s hands also)
• make sure that children wash their hands thoroughly
• properly dispose of diapers and disinfect changing area
• never prepare foods for other people if you have diarrhea
• do not swim in pools or lakes if you have diarrhea.

Where can I get more information on E. coli O157:H7?

www.cdc.gov

www.dshs.state.tx.us

Source of information:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)