What are signs and symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection?
Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 usually start 3-4 days (range 1-8 days) after exposure to the bacteria. People with E. coli O157:H7 infection may have bloody diarrhea or sometimes non-bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal pain or cramps, fever, or no symptoms. Most cases resolve in 5 to 10 days. The most serious complication is hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which occurs in less than 10% of infected persons, usually children under age 5 years and elderly persons. Patients with HUS may develop kidney failure and anemia (low blood count) because of destruction of the blood cells. Approximately 3-5% of patients with HUS die. The kidney failure can last for life; other lifelong complications of E. coli O157:H7 infection include high blood pressure and seizures. How is E. coli O157:H7 infection spread? E. coli O157:H7 lives in the intestines of some healthy cattle. People are usually infected with E. coli O157:H7 by eating a food item that is contaminated with this bacteria and not cooked enough t
