E.

coli Infections

Introduction
E. coli infections are caused by certain types of E. coli bacteria that
make you sick. E. coli is short for Escherichia coli. Most E. coli
infections get better without treatment. However, some E. coli
infections may cause life-threatening complications.
E. coli Bacteria
This reference summary will help you understand E. coli infections.
It discusses causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

What is E. coli?
E. coli is a type of bacteria. Some types of E. coli are harmless and live in the
intestines without causing any problems. However, other types of E. coli can make you
sick. The more serious strains of E. coli release a poisonous substance known as
toxins. The toxins released by E. coli damage the intestines and cause inflammation.

Inflammation is the immune systems normal response to injury or contaminants.

Germs, bacteria, and viruses are contaminants and can cause inflammation. This can
cause bloody diarrhea and even kidney failure. E. coli can also cause urinary tract
infections, respiratory infections like pneumonia, and other illnesses.

One way people get E. coli infections is through the food they eat.
Most E. coli infections come from:
Undercooked meat
Water or food contaminated with feces
Unpasteurized (raw) milk or juice

Undercooked meat may contain E. coli bacteria. This typically

happens if the meat comes from an animal infected with E. coli.
Properly cooking meat kills the E. coli bacteria. Contact with water that is contaminated
with feces is not just limited to drinking water. Swimming in contaminated water, even
in a swimming pool, can also expose you to E. coli.

This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.

1995-2012, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com idfm0101

Last reviewed: 03/31/2012

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Food may become contaminated with feces if it is not
handled or prepared properly. For example, meat can
become contaminated with feces while being processed
at a meat packing plant. If the meat isnt properly cooked
before it is served, it can spread bacteria. Foods like raw
fruits or vegetables can also be contaminated with animal
feces. These foods often grow on the ground and may be
exposed to animals. Wash all raw fruits or vegetables
before eating them.

Rarely, E. coli may be passed from one person to another. If someone with an E. coli
infection doesnt wash his or her hands after going to the bathroom, the bacteria can
be transferred to objects touched by that person. Anyone who touches these objects
may become infected.

Contact with animals that carry the E. coli bacteria may also cause an infection. Cattle
are the main sources of common strains of E. coli. However, other animals may also
carry these bacteria.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms of E. coli usually appear 24 to 72 hours after being
infected. This is the time it takes for the bacteria to enter the
intestine. Symptoms may be mild or severe. This depends on the
strain of E. coli bacteria that caused the infection.

The most common symptom of most strains of E. coli is bloody

diarrhea that starts suddenly. Other common symptoms include:
Gas or bloating
Stomach cramping
Loss of appetite
Fever

Vomiting may also be a sign of an E. coli infection. However, vomiting is not common.

This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.

1995-2012, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com idfm0101

Last reviewed: 03/31/2012

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Symptoms of a severe E. coli infection include:
Bloody or red urine
Reduced amount of urine
Pale skin
Easy bruising

It is rare for E. coli to cause these symptoms, but is important for you to recognize
them should they develop.

To diagnose an E. coli infection, your healthcare

provider will ask you about your symptoms. He or
she may also perform a physical exam to check
for pain in the stomach and dehydration.
Dehydration is when your body does not have as
much water as it needs.

Your healthcare provider may order some lab

tests. A stool sample may be tested for the
presence of E. coli bacteria. If food is a
suspected source of the bacteria, this may also
be tested.

Complications of E. coli Infections

The most common complication from an E. coli
infection is hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS.
Hemolytic means that the red blood cells burst open
inside the blood vessels. These cells are not functional
anymore. This also leads to blood in the urine and
possibly to kidney failure.

About 10 to 15% of people who have had E. coli will

develop hemolytic uremic syndrome. HUS is a serious
illness that must be treated in the hospital. It can cause
death. HUS can start 5 to 10 days after the diarrhea Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
starts. By this time, the E. coli infection is usually gone.

This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.

1995-2012, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com idfm0101

Last reviewed: 03/31/2012

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HUS is more common in children. It is the most common cause of acute kidney failure
in children.

HUS can cause other complications. These include:

High blood pressure
Blindness
Paralysis

Treating E. coli Infections

Most E. coli infections get better without treatment. An infection usually lasts 5 to 10
days.

Diarrhea caused by E. coli infections may lead to

dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. If you
become dehydrated you may need to receive fluids
through an IV at the hospital. Eating smaller, more
frequent meals may help with the diarrhea. Eating foods
that are salty and high in potassium may help you feel
better.

Antibiotics rarely help with E. coli infections. In fact,

taking antibiotics may increase your chances of getting
HUS.

You should not take medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your healthcare provider
says it is okay. Stopping the diarrhea allows the harmful E. coli
bacteria to stay in your intestines.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

Call your healthcare provider if you have:
Bloody or black stools
Pus in your stools
Stomach pain that doesnt go away after a bowel movement
Developed diarrhea after traveling to a foreign country
Diarrhea and a fever higher than 101F (100.4F in children)
Dehydration symptoms

This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.

1995-2012, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com idfm0101

Last reviewed: 03/31/2012

4
You should also contact your healthcare provider if the diarrhea gets worse or doesnt
get better after 5 days. Children should see a healthcare provider if the diarrhea hasnt
gotten better in 2 days.

You should contact your healthcare provider if your child has been vomiting for more
than 12 hours. In children younger than 3 months, you should call your healthcare
provider as soon as vomiting or diarrhea begins.

Preventing E. coli Infections

In most cases, E. coli infections can be easily
prevented. The easiest way to prevent E. coli
infections is to wash your hands frequently.
Always wash your hands after you use the
bathroom or change a diaper. You should
also wash your hands after having contact
with animals and the places animals have
been.
Another important way to prevent E. coli
infections is to cook meat thoroughly. The
best way to make sure meat is cooked properly is by using a meat thermometer.
Different meats and different cuts of meat are considered safe to eat at different
temperatures. Talk to your healthcare provider or an employee
at your local deli to find out more about safe minimum cooking
temperatures.

Also, be careful when you handle raw meat. You could leave E.
coli bacteria on other surfaces that you touch. Always wash
your hands after you handle raw meat. Keep cooked meat
away from raw meat and clean any surfaces the raw meat
came in contact with.

Raw fruits or vegetables may also be contaminated with animal

feces. Wash all raw fruits or vegetables before eating them to prevent E. coli
infections. You should also avoid raw milk, unpasteurized dairy products, and
unpasteurized juices like fresh apple cider. These products have not been treated with
heat to kill any E. coli bacteria that may be in them.

This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.

1995-2012, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com idfm0101

Last reviewed: 03/31/2012

5
Also avoid swallowing any water from swimming pools or lakes, ponds, and streams.
A small amount of feces may have contaminated the water. This means the water may
contain E. coli bacteria.

Summary
E. coli is a type of bacteria. Some types of E. coli are harmless and live in the
intestines without causing any problems. However, other
types of E. coli can make you sick.

Most E. coli infections come from contaminated food or

water. It is possible for E. coli infections to be passed from
one person to another. However, this is not as common.
Preventing E. coli infections is as simple as washing your
hands frequently, cooking meat thoroughly, and avoiding
possible sources of E. coli.

Some E. coli infections may cause life-threatening

complications. However, most E. coli infections get better
without treatment in 5 to 10 days.

This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.

1995-2012, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com idfm0101

Last reviewed: 03/31/2012