As a popular fast food restaurant investigates which ingredients might have made their burger-loving customers ill this week, Nilesh Patel, DO, Chairman of Emergency Medicine at St. Joseph’s Health, explains E. coli bacteria so that you can understand signs, symptoms, and when to call your doctor.
What is E. coli?
Escherichia coli – or E. coli for short – is a form of bacteria that live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. While most types of E. coli are harmless, there are a few strains that can cause illness – even in healthy individuals. People can become exposed to E. coli from contaminated food or water, or from person-to-person contact with an individual who is ill. Most often, the culprit lies in raw vegetables or undercooked ground beef.
E. coli Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of E. coli typically begin three to four days after eating or drinking a contaminated item, explains Dr. Patel. The signs include:
- Diarrhea, which can range from mild and watery to severe and bloody
- Stomach cramping and pain
- Nausea and vomiting
“Unfortunately, this type of bacteria is more common than we might imagine,” says Dr. Patel. “In healthy kids and adults, we expect them to recover just fine with rest and fluid intake. But older adults and young children require extra monitoring and care.”
If someone in your household is sick, make sure to wash your hands frequently and properly, as family members of young children with the E. coli infection are likely to get it themselves.
When to Call a Doctor
Even small amounts of the bacteria can cause illness, which takes about to week to resolve. Dr. Patel urges you to call a doctor if diarrhea lasts more than three days, leads to dehydration, or is severe or bloody. Visit a healthcare provider if you or a loved one also has a fever. Be aware of signs of dehydration, which include:
- Dry mouth and throat
- Feeling dizzy when standing up
- Not urinating much
“When suffering with these symptoms, make sure to hydrate by taking small, frequent sips of water or electrolyte drinks, as tolerated,” says. Dr. Patel. “Soup broth, rest and TLC should have you feeling back to yourself quickly.”
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