E Coli

E. coli bacteria are commonly found in the intestines of healthy people and animals. Many types are harmless and only cause a short bout of diarrhea. However, some types, like E. coli O157:H7, can cause serious problems. These problems include painful stomach cramps, diarrhea that may contain blood, and vomiting.

You can get E. coli O157:H7 from contaminated food or water. Raw vegetables and undercooked ground beef are common sources. Usually, healthy adults recover from an E. coli O157:H7 infection within a week. But young children and older adults are more likely to experience serious complications, such as a dangerous type of kidney failure. It's important to be careful about food safety to prevent getting sick.

E. coli O157:H7 infection typically starts 1 to 7 days after you're exposed to the bacteria. This means you might feel sick as early as a day later, or as late as a week after. Common symptoms include:

• Diarrhea: This can be mild and watery, or quite severe and include blood.
• Stomach pain: You might feel cramping, pain, or tenderness in your stomach area.
• Nausea and vomiting: Some people also experience nausea and vomiting with this infection.

If your diarrhea is ongoing, very bad, or includes blood, it's important to see a doctor.

If your diarrhea lasts a long time, is very bad, or includes blood, talk to your doctor.

E. coli infections are usually caused by specific types of E. coli bacteria. A particular type, called E. coli O157:H7, produces a harmful toxin that irritates the lining of the small intestine, leading to bloody diarrhea. You get an E. coli infection when you swallow these bacteria. Importantly, you only need a small amount of these bacteria to get sick, unlike some other illnesses. This means you can get sick from eating slightly undercooked ground beef or even swallowing contaminated water.

Several things can spread E. coli:

• Food: Contaminated food is the most common cause. Ground beef is a significant risk because the bacteria can be present in the intestines of the animals, and ground beef mixes meat from many sources. Raw milk is another risk; if the cow's udder or the milking equipment is contaminated, the milk can carry the bacteria. Fresh produce can also be contaminated if the fields are watered with runoff from cattle farms or if contaminated animal or human waste gets on the crops. Vegetables like spinach and lettuce are especially vulnerable. Water used to irrigate crops can also be contaminated. While public water systems usually treat water to kill E. coli, sometimes problems still occur with contaminated water.

• Water: Drinking contaminated water, even from seemingly safe sources, is a risk. Private wells are more prone to contamination since they often lack water disinfection systems. Rural water supplies are also more likely to be contaminated. Naturally, streams, rivers, lakes, and even water used to irrigate crops can become contaminated with human or animal waste. Swimming in contaminated pools or lakes can also spread E. coli.

• Person-to-Person: E. coli can spread from one person to another, especially if people don't wash their hands thoroughly. Children are particularly prone to getting E. coli and then spreading it to others in their families. Petting zoos and animal barns at fairs are also potential sources of infection for people who come into contact with animals and don't wash their hands properly.

In short, E. coli can be spread through contaminated food, water, and direct contact with infected people or animals. Proper handwashing and food safety practices are essential to prevent infection.

E. coli bacteria can make anyone sick, but some people are more vulnerable. Several factors increase the chance of getting sick or having severe problems:

Age: Young children and older adults are more susceptible to E. coli illness and its potential complications. Their bodies might not fight off the infection as effectively as those of adults in their prime.

Weakened Immune Systems: People with weakened immune systems, like those with HIV/AIDS or who are taking medications to treat cancer or prevent organ rejection, are more prone to getting sick from E. coli. Their immune systems, which normally fight off infections, are less able to do so in these cases.

Certain Foods: Eating certain foods increases the risk of E. coli. These include undercooked ground beef (hamburger), unpasteurized milk, apple juice, cider, and soft cheeses made from raw milk. Pasteurization is a process that heats these foods to kill harmful bacteria. If these foods aren't properly treated, E. coli can survive and multiply.

Time of Year: While the reason isn't fully understood, most E. coli infections in the U.S. happen during the summer months (June through September). This could be related to factors like food handling practices, temperatures, or other environmental conditions that are more prevalent during these months.

Low Stomach Acid: Stomach acid helps protect your body from E. coli. If you take medications to reduce stomach acid, such as esomeprazole (Nexium), pantoprazole (Protonix), lansoprazole (Prevacid), or omeprazole (Prilosec), you might be more vulnerable to E. coli infection. These medications can help with conditions like heartburn, but they can also reduce the body's natural defenses against harmful bacteria.

Most healthy adults get better from E. coli infections within a week. However, some people, especially young children and older adults, can develop a serious kidney problem called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can be life-threatening. HUS is a type of kidney failure.