An E. coli infection can be much more serious than regular food poisoning. UC Davis Health is at the forefront of E. coli research and care.
Medically reviewed by Dean Blumberg, M.D. on Nov. 08, 2023.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is bacteria that live in your intestines and helps with food digestion. These bacteria can also live in the intestines of some animals. Most types of E. coli are harmless, but some types can cause intestinal illness.
Intestinal illness most commonly occurs due to a type of E. coli that makes a toxin (Shiga). Shiga toxin damages your small intestine lining.
At the Division of Infectious Diseases, we offer the latest care for E. coli infection. We use the most up-to-date research and tools to prevent, diagnose and treat this infectious disease.
E. coli symptoms usually start 3 to 4 days after eating or drinking a substance containing the bacteria. But symptoms can also begin from 1 to 10 days after you’re exposed.
If you have an E. coli infection, you may experience:
About 5-10% of people with an E. coli infection develop a life-threatening condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS symptoms show up about 7 days after your first symptoms and may include:
You can become infected with E. coli by eating or drinking contaminated food or liquids, or from contact with other infected people or animals. The most common causes of E. coli infection include:
Eating contaminated food is the most common way to get an E. coli infection. Foods that may contain E. coli include ground beef (especially undercooked meat); unpasteurized milk or juices; vegetables, fruit and cheeses made from raw milk.
Swallowing water contaminated with E. coli from animals or humans can cause an infection. You may find contaminated water in lakes, rivers, streams, wells and local water supplies.
You can pass along E. coli bacteria on your hands if you touch feces after having a bowel movement, change a diaper or touch the hands of someone who is infected. You may also become infected at a petting zoo or from farm animals.
The chances of getting an E. coli infection or more complications may be higher if you have one or more of these risk factors:
Children under 5 and adults over 65 are at greater risk of illness and complications from an E. coli infection.
Eating undercooked meats, unpasteurized milk or juice or raw milk cheeses can increase your risk.
Taking a medication to decrease stomach acid may raise your risk of an E. coli infection.
Having a weaker immune system, from conditions such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, urinary tract infections (UTIs), chemotherapy or medications after organ transplants, may increase E. coli infection risk.
To diagnose an E. coli infection, we send a sample of your stool (poop) to a lab. They can test the sample for E. coli bacteria.
Most E. coli infections go away on their own in about 5 to 7 days. We recommend drinking plenty of fluids and resting to help you feel better. If you have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), we may treat you in the hospital with procedures such as:
Transfusion of platelets can help your blood clot and red blood cells can help reduce anemia symptoms related to HUS.
You may get intravenous (IV) fluids through a vein to help replace lost fluids.
We may use kidney dialysis to remove waste and excess fluid from your blood if your kidneys stop working properly.
We suggest medications to lower your blood pressure if HUS causes kidney damage.
There are certain steps you can take to reduce your risk of an E. coli infection:
Not drinking unpasteurized milk or juice can help prevent E. coli infection.
Avoid swallowing water in lakes, ponds, streams and swimming pools.
Cook beef steaks and roasts to at least 145°F and ground beef and pork to at least 160°F.
Wash cutting boards, counters and utensils before and after they contact raw meat.
Always rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly to get rid of any bacteria.
Wash your hands before or after eating food, using the bathroom, changing a diaper and coming into contact with animals.
“E. coli (Escherichia coli) – Prevention,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/ecoli-prevention.html
10%Of people with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection
Source: World Health Organization: E. coli
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