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E. coli

Various types of E. coli bacteria live in your intestines. But some types of E. coli can make you sick. Outbreaks of E. coli bacteria have been very notable in this country. The CDC estimates that 73,000 cases of infection of E. coli O157:H7 and 61 deaths occur in this country every year. The most commonly found E. coli is O157:H7. Cattle are the main sources of E. coli O157:H7. This bacterium can be found in other domestic and wild animals as well. E. coli O157:H7 has been found in certain foods and liquids such as undercooked and raw hamburgers, salami, alfalfa sprouts, spinach, lettuce, unpasteurized milk, apple juice, apple cider and contaminated well water. Symptoms of E. coli infection include nausea, severe abdominal cramps, watery or very bloody diarrhea and fatigue. People infected with E. coli sometimes also develop low grade fever and vomiting. The onset of the symptoms usually begins two to five days after you eat contaminated food or drink contaminated liquids. Symptoms may last up to eight days. While most people completely recover from the disease, complications, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) , can occur and lead to kidney failure.