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E. coli: What You Need to Know

About E. coli

Escherichia coli, which is normally found in the digestive system of healthy people and animals, can be benign--causing only mild diarrhea. However, sometimes it can lead to severe stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea.

If you are among the few who get infected with E. coli O157:H7, you will likely recover from mild symptoms within a week but some individuals may face life-threatening complications.
 

Symptoms

After being exposed to the bacteria, symptoms of an E. coli infection usually emerge three or four days afterward but sometimes as soon as one day following exposure. Symptoms are:
  • Diarrhea, which may range from mild and watery to severe and bloody
  • Stomach cramping, pain, or tenderness
  • Nausea and vomiting, in some people

When to see a doctor

If you have persistent, severe, or bloody diarrhea, contact your doctor.
 

Causes

Not all E. coli strains cause diarrhea, but one strain called E. coli O157:H7 can produce a powerful toxin that damages the lining of the small intestine, resulting in bloody diarrhea. You can become infected with this bacteria by ingesting it or having contact with fecal matter from an animal carrying the infection.

Unlike many other bacterial pathogens, E. coli can cause an infection even if you ingest only a small amount. Because of this, and unlike many other bacterial pathogens, one could be sickened by ingesting a slightly undercooked hamburger or swallowing a mouthful of contaminated pool water with enough  E. coli bacteria to make them sick. Possible causes of exposure are contaminated food or water and person-to-person contact.
 

Contaminated food

One of the most common ways to contract E. coli is by consuming contaminated food, such as:
  • Ground beef. When cattle are slaughtered and processed, E. coli bacteria in their intestines can get on the meat. Ground beef combines meat from many different animals, increasing the risk of contamination.
  • Unpasteurized milk. E. coli bacteria on a cow's udder or on milking equipment can get into raw milk.
  • Fresh produce. Runoff from cattle farms can contaminate fields where fresh produce is grown. Certain vegetables, such as spinach and lettuce, are particularly vulnerable to this type of contamination.

Contaminated water

Human and animal stool can contaminate groundwater, as well as streams, rivers, lakes, which include the water used to irrigate crops. Even when public water systems use different disinfection methods (chlorine, UV, ozone)it is possible for outbreaks to occur if an area's municipal water supply is contaminated with E. coli.
One more concern for rural people is the integrity of their water supply. Many wells do not have a way to disinfect water, and it is easier for such supplies to become contaminated with pathogens than other sources because they are more difficult to monitor. This has been true in some recent instances where E. coli was present after swimming pools or lakes were polluted by stool.
 

Personal contact

E. coli bacteria can easily spread from person to person, and the infection is especially likely for family members of young children who are infected with E. coli. Outbreaks of E.coli have occurred among kids visiting petting zoos or at county fairs in animal barns.
 

Risk factors

Bacteria can affect a variety of people. However, some are more susceptible to infection than others. Factors that increase the chance that you will have issues with bacteria include:
  • Age. Young children and older adults are at higher risk of experiencing illness caused by E. coli and more serious complications from the infection.
  • Weakened immune systems. People who have weakened immune systems — from AIDS or from drugs to treat cancer or prevent the rejection of organ transplants — are more likely to become ill from ingesting E. coli.
  • Eating certain types of food. Riskier foods include undercooked hamburgers; unpasteurized milk, apple juice, or cider; and soft cheeses made from raw milk.
  • Time of year. Though it's not clear why the majority of E. coli infections in the U.S. occur from June through September.
  • Decreased stomach acid levels. Stomach acid offers some protection against E. coli. If you take medications to reduce stomach acid, such as esomeprazole (Nexium), pantoprazole (Protonix), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and omeprazole (Prilosec), you may increase your risk of an E. coli infection.
 

Complications

Most healthy adults with E. coli illness will recover in a week. In more serious cases, especially young children and the elderly, there is a risk of developing a life-threatening kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome.
 

Prevention

At the moment, there are no vaccines to protect against E. coli-based illnesses, but researchers are investigating potential vaccines that may provide more protection in the future. To reduce your chances of being exposed to any type of E. coli, avoid swallowing water from lakes or pools, wash your hands often, stay away from risky foods as well as look out for potential cross-contamination.
 

Risky foods

  • Cook hamburgers until they're 160 °F (71 °C). Hamburgers should be well-done, with no pink showing. But color isn't a good guide to know if the meat is done cooking. Meat — especially if grilled — can brown before it's completely cooked. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that meat is heated to at least 160 °F (71 °C) at its thickest point.
  • Drink pasteurized milk, juice, and cider. Any boxed or bottled juice kept at room temperature is likely to be pasteurized, even if the label doesn't say so. Avoid any unpasteurized dairy products or juice.
  • Wash raw produce thoroughly. Washing produce may not get rid of all E. coli — especially in leafy greens, which provide many places for the bacteria to attach themselves to. Careful rinsing can remove dirt and reduce the amount of bacteria that may be clinging to the produce.
 

Avoid cross-contamination

  • Wash utensils. Use hot soapy water on knives, countertops, and cutting boards before and after they come into contact with fresh produce or raw meat.
  • Keep raw foods separate. This includes using separate cutting boards for raw meat and foods, such as vegetables and fruits. Never put cooked hamburgers on the same plate you used for raw patties.
  • Wash your hands. Wash your hands after preparing or eating food, using the bathroom, or changing diapers. Make sure that children also wash their hands before eating, after using the bathroom, and after contact with animals.
Read more

Recent E. coli Reports

The Italy Health Ministry announced the recall of Fontina Dop Pascoli Italiani Cheese by the Milk and Fontina Producers Cooperative because E. Coli was detected in the product. The Cheese is sold in Eurospin discount stores in Italy.

The recalled product is:
- Fontina Dop Pascoli Italiani... See More Cheese, 250 g, lot C037105286, best before 04/10/2023

All customers who have purchased the recalled cheese are urged to immediately return it to the store they purchased it from for a refund.

In case you are experiencing E. coli symptoms such as watery diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting; stomach cramps; and mild fever, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Source: salute.gov.it
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My boyfriend and I are on day 9 of an awful illness from Sayulita. Just got the stool sample results back and it is Enterotoxigenic E. coli (supposedly the most common form of Traveler's Diarrhea) but this is the sickest we have been in years. Started 3... See More days after we had been in Sayulita and we were careful with only drinking bottled water, trying to eat at safe spots, etc., but we did surf at Sayulita Beach and ate some fresh vegetables (I am vegetarian). We had insane chills, cramps, fever, and 6-10 awful bowel movements a day. We are on the tail end but are far from normal and simply will not be returning to Sayulita ever again. Be careful! | Symptoms: Diarrhea, Fever, Cramps, Chills See Less
165


My husband and I had cajun ahi tuna burgers on February 23, 2023. Within 24 hrs both developed severe stomach pain, diarrhea, weakness, headache, and vomiting. Stool test showed E.coli O157, STX1 and STX. It is March 7th but the gut is not fully restored. Husband is... See More still undergoing diarrhea 12 days later. | Symptoms: Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Headache, Weakness, Stomach Pain See Less
3.5K


On February 15th at approximately 10:30pm I ordered the Russian dressed sausage there. Felt okay and food tasted alright. By 4am on the 16th I was vomiting and had diarrhea at the same time. I’ve had food poisoning before and this was the most violent bout of... See More it I’ve ever had. I was sick the entire day on the 16th. Got an IV drip and the doctor I saw told me I had probably contracted a large amount of staph bacteria or E. Coli to be that Ill that quickly. | Symptoms: Diarrhea, Vomiting See Less
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Mother Dairy is recalling Mother Dairy Paneer Fresh Cheese products due to generic E. coli. The affected products have been sold in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec.

The recalled products are:
- Mother Dairy Paneer Fresh Cheese (340 g). Codes: All best-before dates from 2023/03/09... See More up to and including 2023/05/01. UPC: 6 98708 98763 3.
- Mother Dairy Paneer Fresh Cheese (1.9 kg). Codes: All best-before dates from 23MR09 up to and including 23MA01. UPC: 6 98708 98764 0

Check to see if you have recalled products and do not consume them. The recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased.

In case you are experiencing E. coli symptoms such as watery diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting; stomach cramps; and mild fever, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Source: recalls-rappels.canada.ca
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The AFSCA has announced a recall of NEUFCHATEL Artisanal Villiers cheese by Kaasimport Jan Dupont due to the possible presence of E.Coli (STEC). The product has been distributed at various points of sale in Belgium.

The recalled product is:
- NEUFCHATEL Artisanal Villiers cheese, 200g, Type of... See More packaging: paper packaging, Batch number: 601, Sales period: from 01/20/2023 to 02/23/2023. Best before date: 05/03/23.

If you have the recalled product in your home, please do not eat it, throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.

In case you are experiencing E. coli symptoms such as watery diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting; stomach cramps; and mild fever, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Source: favv-afsca.be
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The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to generic E. coli. The recalled products have been sold in Alberta.

Affected products:
- Mother Dairy Paneer Fresh Cheese (340 g). Codes: 2023/04/25. UPC: 6 98708 98763 3.
- Mother Dairy Paneer Fresh Cheese (1.9 kg).... See More Codes: 23MR28. UPC: 6 98708 98764 0

Check to see if you have recalled products and do not consume them. The recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased.

In case you are experiencing E. coli symptoms such as watery diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting; stomach cramps; and mild fever, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Company name: Mother Dairy
Brand name: Mother Dairy
Product recalled: Paneer Fresh Cheese
Reason of the recall: Food - Microbial Contamination - E. Coli - non-pathogenic
CFIA Recall date: 2023-02-15

Source: recalls-rappels.canada.ca
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Bought breakfast Saturday morning at about 9;45 am .for 1100 am I was the bathroom, nauseas,diarrhea ,stomach ache.. by 3 pm kept feeling like I wanted to throw up but nothing came up. By midnight I had threw up all my breakfast… went to urgent care they... See More told me to go to the hospital,went to the hospital and after running test from stool ,it was declared I had E.coli poisoning… | Symptoms: Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting See Less
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Mother Dairy is recalling Mother Dairy brand Paneer Fresh Cheese due to generic E. coli contamination. This product has been sold in Alberta and Manitoba.

The recalled product is:
- Mother Dairy Paneer Fresh Cheese, 1.9 kg, UPC: 6 98708 98764 0, Code: 23AL24

Do not use,... See More sell, serve or distribute the affected product. Audience: Hotels, restaurants and institutions.

In case you are experiencing E. coli symptoms such as watery diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting; stomach cramps; and mild fever, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Source: recalls-rappels.canada.ca
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Mother Dairy is recalling Mother Dairy brand Paneer Fresh Cheese due to generic E. coli contamination. These products were sold in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.

The recalled products are:
- Mother Dairy Fresh Paneer Cheese, 1.9 kg, UPC: 6 98708 98764 0, Code: 23MR08
- Mother Dairy... See More Fresh Paneer Cheese, 340 g, UPC: 6 98708 98763 3, Code: 2023/03/08

Do not use, sell, serve or distribute the affected products. Audience: Hotels, restaurants and institutions, Retail

In case you are experiencing E. coli symptoms such as watery diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting; stomach cramps; and mild fever, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Source: recalls-rappels.canada.ca
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