Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references E. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed Aug. World Health Organization. Holtz LR, et al. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli: Microbiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, and prevention.
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment. Goldman L, et al. Escherichia coli enteric infections. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Elsevier; CDT E. Traveler's diarrhea can be caused Certain strains of E. In North America, E. These strains are sometimes collectively referred to as enterohemorrhagic E. Eating contaminated ground beef that is not cooked thoroughly one of the most common sources or drinking unpasteurized milk.
Eating ready-to-eat food such as produce at salad bars that was washed with contaminated water or contaminated by cattle manure. Swallowing inadequately chlorinated water that has been contaminated by the stool of infected people in swimming or wading pools. Inadequate hygiene, particularly common among young children in diapers, can easily spread the bacteria from person to person.
Symptoms are usually mild and resolve in 3 to 5 days. Infections due to E. See also Diarrhea in Children. The frequency of bowel movements alone is not the defining feature of diarrhea This disease is sometimes called hemorrhagic colitis.
People usually have severe abdominal pain and diarrhea many times a day. They also often feel an urge to defecate but may not be able to.
Most people do not have a fever. However, E. Hemolytic-uremic syndrome Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome HUS Hemolytic-uremic syndrome HUS is a serious disorder that usually occurs in children and involves the formation of small blood clots throughout the body that block the flow of blood to vital Kidney failure is the inability of the kidneys to adequately filter metabolic waste products from the blood. This complication is a common cause of chronic kidney disease in children.
Samples of blood, stool, sometimes urine, or other infected material are taken and sent to a laboratory to grow culture the bacteria. Identifying the bacteria in the sample confirms the diagnosis. This test provides results quickly. If the bacteria are identified, they may be tested to see which antibiotics are effective a process called susceptibility testing Testing of a Microorganism's Susceptibility and Sensitivity to Antimicrobial Drugs Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Doctors suspect an infection based on the person's symptoms, physical examination results, Thoroughly washing the hands with soap after using the toilet, changing diapers, and having contact with animals or their environment and before and after preparing or eating food.
In the United States, improved meat processing procedures have helped reduce the rate of meat contamination. To prevent spread of infection in day care centers, staff members may group together children who are known to be infected. Or they may ask for proof that the infection is gone negative results on two stool cultures before they allow infected children to attend.
Loperamide can be given to slow movement of food through the intestine and thus help control diarrhea. Patients with decreased stomach acid , either due to stomach surgery or medicines that lower stomach acid, have a higher risk of infection. Young children and older people have a higher risk of developing serious illness and complications. However, around 10 percent of people are at risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome HUS.
These are mostly young children and older people. HUS is characterized by hemolysis, or a breakup of red blood cells. This can cause anemia , a low platelet count, and kidney failure. Platelets, the blood cells responsible for blood clotting, clump together within the small blood vessels of the kidneys, resulting in reduced blood flow, or ischemia. This can eventually lead to kidney failure. Decreased platelets increase the risk of bleeding problems.
Patients with these clots can also develop central nervous system CNS problems that affect the brain and spinal cord. This can lead to seizures, paralysis, brain swelling, and coma. It is fatal in 3 to 5 percent of cases. HUS usually starts about 5 to 8 days after the onset of diarrhea. It is a medical emergency, and requires hospital treatment. The doctor will identify the signs, ask about symptoms, and send a stool sample to a lab for analysis.
HUS generally begins about 5 to 10 days after the onset of diarrhea. People and animals normally have some E. The bacteria that cause infection can enter into your body in a number of ways. Whether food is prepared at home, in a restaurant, or in a grocery store, unsafe handling and preparation can cause contamination. Common causes of food poisoning include:. Poor sanitation can cause water to contain bacteria from human or animal waste.
You can get the infection from drinking contaminated water or from swimming in it. The bacteria are then spread when that person touches someone or something else, like food. Nursing homes, schools, and child care facilities are particularly vulnerable to person-to-person spreading. People who work with animals, especially cows, goats, and sheep, are at increased risk for infection.
Anyone who touches animals or who works in an environment with animals should wash their hands regularly and thoroughly. While anyone can experience an E. Some risk factors include:. You should see your doctor if:. Drink plenty of water, get lots of rest, and keep an eye out for more severe symptoms that require a call to your doctor. If you have bloody diarrhea or fever, check with your doctor before taking over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications.
You should always check with your pediatrician before giving medications to infants or children. If dehydration is a concern, your doctor may order hospitalization and intravenous fluids. Most people show improvement within five to seven days after the onset of an infection, and make a full recovery.
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