Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157
E. coli O157 is found in the gut and faeces of many animals, particularly cattle. It’s an uncommon cause of gastroenteritis but can be caught by:
eating contaminated food, such as raw leafy vegetables or undercooked meat – always wash all vegetables, including salad leaves, that will be eaten raw, unless they have been pre-prepared and are labelled ‘ready to eat’ (washing may reduce the risk of infection, but will not eliminate any risk of infection completely)
touching infected animals or accidentally coming into contact with their faeces
contact with people who have the illness, particularly if you do not wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet or before handling food
drinking water from inadequately treated water supplies
swimming or playing in contaminated water, such as ponds or streams
eating contaminated food, such as raw leafy vegetables or undercooked meat – always wash all vegetables, including salad leaves, that will be eaten raw, unless they have been pre-prepared and are labelled ‘ready to eat’ (washing may reduce the risk of infection, but will not eliminate any risk of infection completely)
touching infected animals or accidentally coming into contact with their faeces
contact with people who have the illness, particularly if you do not wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet or before handling food
drinking water from inadequately treated water supplies
swimming or playing in contaminated water, such as ponds or streams
People usually notice symptoms 3 to 4 days after they have been infected. But symptoms can start any time between 1 and 14 days afterwards.
These symptoms can last up to 2 weeks.
A small number of people with E. coli O157 infection go on to develop a serious condition called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). This can sometimes lead to kidney failure and death, although this is rare. The risk of HUS is highest in children aged under 5 years.
Some people become infected but don’t develop symptoms.
Further information about gastroenteritis
Symptoms
Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and occasionally fever. About half of people with the infection will have bloody diarrhoea.
People usually notice symptoms 3 to 4 days after they have been infected. But symptoms can start any time between 1 and 14 days afterwards.
These symptoms can last up to 2 weeks.
A small number of people with E. coli O157 infection go on to develop a serious condition called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). This can sometimes lead to kidney failure and death, although this is rare. The risk of HUS is highest in children aged under 5 years.
Some people become infected but don’t develop symptoms.
Further information about gastroenteritis