E. coli
E. coli is the name of a type of bacteria that lives in your intestines. Although most types of E. coli are harmless, some types can make you sick. The worst type of E. coli, known as E. coli O157:H7, causes bloody diarrhea and can sometimes cause kidney failure and even death.
Sources | Undercooked beef especially hamburger, unpasteurized milk and juice, raw fruits and vegetables (such as sprouts), soft cheeses made from raw milk, feces of infected people, and contaminated water. |
Incubation Period | 1-8 days |
Symptoms | Severe diarrhea that is often bloody, abdominal pain and vomiting. Usually, little or no fever is present. |
Duration of Illness | 5-10 days |
| What Do I Do? | Drink plenty of fluids and get rest. If you cannot drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration or if your symptoms are severe, call your doctor. Antibiotics should not be used to treat this infection. |
General Information
E. coli Infections (NIH MedlinePlus)
Trusted health information on causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
E. coli (CDC)
General information plus details on previous outbreaks.
E. coli Outbreak Investigations (CDC)
Outbreak investigations from October 2006 to July 2009.
Escherichia coli O157:H7 (USDA)
General information plus directives and notices, compliance guidelines, data collection and reports, and more.
Escherichia coli O157:H7 (EHEC) (FDA)
From the Bad Bug Book; provides basic facts, including associated foods, frequency of disease, complications, and target populations.
E. coli and Ground Beef
Focus on Ground Beef (USDA)
Includes concerns about E. coli.
Questions and Answers About E. coli and Ground Beef
Provides links to other Q&As about E. coli.
E. coli O157:H7 in Ground Beef (USDA)
Learn about the risk factors and how to reduce the risk.
Listen to the podcast or read the script (5:41 minutes)
E. coli and Raw Cookie Dough
FDA Continues to Warn Against Eating Raw Dough for Cookies or Other Raw Dough Products Before Cooking (FDA)
Reminds consumers about the risks of eating raw cookie dough.
Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Eating Raw Refrigerated, Prepackaged Cookie Dough (CDC)
A summary of the investigation into the 2009 outbreak.
FDA Warns Consumers Not to Eat Nestle Toll House Prepackaged, Refrigerated Cookie Dough (FDA)
Includes information for consumers on the risks of eating raw cookie dough.
E. coli Outbreak and Raw Cookie Dough (CDC)
Information about the June 2009 E. coli outbreak related to raw cookie dough (2:36 minutes)
