How is E. coli infection diagnosed?
Infection with E. coli O157:H7 or other Shiga toxin-producing E. coli is usually confirmed by the detection of the bacteria in a stool specimen from an infected individual. Most hospital labs and physicians know to test for this particular bacteria, especially if the potentially infected individual has bloody diarrhea. Still, it remains a good idea to specifically request that a stool specimen be tested for the presence of shiga toxin-producing E. coli when it is submitted to the lab for testing.
