E. Coli Infections

Summary

E. coli is the name of a type of bacteria that lives in your intestines. Most types of E. coli are harmless. However, some types can make you sick and cause diarrhea. One type causes travelers’ diarrhea. The worst type of E. coli causes bloody diarrhea, and can sometimes cause kidney failure and even death. These problems are most likely to occur in children and in adults with weak immune systems.

You can get E. coli infections by eating foods containing the bacteria. Symptoms of infection include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Severe abdominal cramps
• Watery or very bloody diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Fever

To help avoid food poisoning and prevent infection, handle food safely. Cook meat well, wash fruits and vegetables before eating or cooking them, and avoid unpasteurized milk and juices. You can also get the infection by swallowing water in a swimming pool contaminated with human waste.

Most cases of E. coli infection get better without treatment in 5 to 10 days.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Escherichia coli Infections National Institutes of Health

Children

• E-Coli Infection: Not Just from Food American Academy of Pediatrics
• Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in Children National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Start Here

• E. Coli National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• E. coli Department of Health and Human Services
• E. Coli (Escherichia coli) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• E. coli Infection Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Related Issues

• E. coli and Food Safety Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Ground Beef and Food Safety Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
• Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome American Academy of Family Physicians
• How to Stay Healthy around Farm Animals Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Women

• E. Coli and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists

Patient Handouts

• E. coli enteritis Medical Encyclopedia
• Hemolytic-uremic syndrome Medical Encyclopedia

Teenagers

• E. Coli Infections: Diarrhea Nemours Foundation

Find an Expert

• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Journal Articles

• E. Coli Infections