What is E. coli O157:H7?

Answer:

E. coli O157:H7 is a bacterium that causes diarrhea that is often bloody; the diarrhea can be accompanied by abdominal cramps. Fever may be absent or mild. Symptoms usually occur within 2-3 days following exposure, but may occur as soon as 1 day following exposure or up to one week following exposure.

Healthy adults can typically recover completely from E. coli O157:H7 exposure within a week. However, some people, especially young children and the elderly, can develop Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) as a result of exposure to E. coli O157:H7, a condition that can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.

Learn More about E. coli:

• CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/
• NIH, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/healthscience/healthtopics/ecoli
• MedlinePlus: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ecoliinfections.html

Learn More about Foodbourne Illness:

• FDA, Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/
• FDA, Foodbourne Illness: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/foodborn.html