What Is E.coli?

Main Category: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 21 Apr 2007 - 6:00 PDT

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E. coli is short for Escherichia coli, it is one of the bacteria that line the gut of humans and animals. It also exists in raw and undercooked beef, infected water and milk. Most E. coli strains are harmless. However, O157:H7 can cause food poisoning.

A sample of a person's feces (stool) must be tested to confirm E.coli poisoning.

Cattle are believed to the main source of infection.

It can spread as a result of:

-- Eating contaminated food, such as undercooked beef burgers, raw vegetables which have been washed or watered with contaminated water
-- Drinking untreated milk or dairy products
-- Contact with infected animals
Symptoms of E. coli Poisoning

-- Diarrhoea (sometimes bloody)
-- Abdominal pain
-- Fever (sometimes)

Symptoms usually appear about 1-3 days after infection.

(It is common in written texts to place the names of bacteria in italics.)

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today