What is E. coli O157:H7?
E. coli are germs (bacteria)
that normally live in the intestines of people and animals. Most strains of this
germ are harmless, but the strain called E. coli O157:H7 can make people sick.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms are severe
stomach cramps and diarrhea. Some people vomit or run a fever, but these are
less common. Sometimes the diarrhea turns bloody after 2 or 3 days. These
symptoms usually go away by themselves after 6 to 8 days. In a small number of
people, this strain of E. coli can cause a rare but serious problem called
hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
What is HUS?
HUS is a disease that affects the kidneys and
the blood clotting system. It starts about a week after the diarrhea begins and
affects more children than adults. In bad cases, dialysis is used for a while to
do the kidney's work. Some people also develop a bleeding problem or low blood
count (anemia). Most people who get HUS will regain their health with no blood
or kidney problems.
Where is E. coli O157:H7 found?
It lives in the intestines of
healthy cattle and can get into the meat when cattle are slaughtered. The germs
are killed when the meat is thoroughly cooked. The most common food source is
ground beef (hamburg), because the grinding spreads the germs throughout the
meat. These germs have also been found in raw milk, roast beef, apple cider,
salami, and sometimes on vegetables fertilized with contaminated cow manure.
How is it spread?
E. coli O157:H7 must be swallowed to cause
an infection. This can happen if you eat or drink something that contains these
germs and is not properly cooked or pasteurized. The germs can be spread from
person to person if someone who is infected does not thoroughly was his or her
hands with soap or water before preparing food for others. Spreading E. coli
germs this way is more common in families and day-care centers than in schools
and restaurants.
How is E. coli O157:H7 diagnosed?
Infection with this germ
can only be diagnosed by testing a stool sample. It is not a routine test, so if
your doctor or nurse thinks you may have E. coli O157:H7, she or he must ask the
lab to test for it.
How is the disease treated?
There is no treatment for E. coli
O157:H7. Antibiotics do not help and may even be harmful. Do not try to stop the
diarrhea, which should go away by itself after a few days. Just drink plenty of
liquids to replace the fluids being lost. For severe cases of HUS, dialysis or
transfusions are sometimes used until the patient's kidneys and blood return to
normal.
How can you prevent it?
The most important things to remember
are that the germs can only make you sick if you swallow them, and that the
germs are killed by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water and by
thorough cooking. Follow the tips below; if you make them your habits, you can
prevent E. coli O157:H7 - as well as other diseases:
Are there any restrictions for people with E. coli O157:H7?
Yes. Because E. coli O157:H7 is a disease that can easily be spread to other
people, health care providers are required by law to report cases of E. coli
O157:H7 to the local board of health.
In order to protect the
public, workers at food-related businesses who have E. coli O157:H7 must stay
out of work until they don't have diarrhea and one lab test on a stool sample
shows that there are no E. coli O157:H7 germs. Workers in food-related
businesses who have diarrhea and live with someone who has E. coli O157:H7 must
also show that they have none of the germs in their stool. Food-related
businesses include restaurants, sandwich shops, hospital kitchens, supermarkets,
dairy or food-processing plants. This regulation also includes workers in
schools, residential programs, day-care and health care facilities who feed,
give mouth care or dispense medications to clients.
Where can I get more information?
The Massachusetts Department
of Public Health - Division of Epidemiology (617) 983-6800
Your local
board of health (listed in the phone book under local government)
Your
doctor, nurse or health center
Updated January 1997
More information from the FDA