Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection

E. coli O157:H7 was given to a deadly strain of chemical compounds found on the bacterium’s surface. Sources of human infection have included, among others, poorly cooked meat (especially hamburger), apple juice, water (including water parks), vegetables and fruit from salad bars, and milk products such as yogurt and unpasteurized milk.

Infection often causes severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps; sometimes the infection causes non-bloody diarrhea. Frequently, no fever is present. It should be noted that these symptoms are common to a variety of diseases, and may be caused by sources other than contaminated drinking water.

Patients initially complain of symptoms similar to viral gastroenteritis abdominal cramping with significant abdominal pain and tenderness; flatulence; elevated temperatures; and voluminous, water diarrhea.

The diarrhea eventually becomes bloody; 91% of patients report bloody stools at some time during the course of the disease. Symptoms of infection with E. coli O157:H7 usually resolve within 8 days. Those whose primary symptom is diarrhea usually recover completely. Those with more serious infections may suffer kidney impairment or failure and the complications associate with it.
Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection