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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffE. coli in your spinach salad or hamburger can make for a memorable meal — one that leaves you with severe, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. The Escherichia coli (E. coli) group of bacteria include numerous strains. Most types of E. coli are harmless and normally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. But a few nasty strains, such as E. coli O157:H7, can cause serious food-borne illness, commonly referred to as food poisoning.
Healthy adults usually recover from illness caused by E. coli O157:H7 within a week, but young children and older adults can develop a life-threatening form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Antibiotic medications aren't used for this E. coli problem, because they can increase your risk of developing HUS.
In the United States, about 75,000 people each year become ill after being infected with E. coli O157:H7. You may be exposed to the bacteria from contaminated water or food — especially raw vegetables and undercooked ground beef. The best way to protect yourself from E. coli is to handle your food safely.
Symptoms
