Escherichia coli (E. coli)
What is Escherichia coli (E. coli)?
E. coli are bacteria that normally live harmlessly in the intestines of humans and animals. Unfortunately, some strains of E. coli can cause illness in people. Most people who do become ill will recover completely on their own, but some people may experience more serious illness.
How is E. coli spread?
To get sick from E.coli bacteria they have to be ingested. This can happen from contaminated water or food or through contact with people or animals who have the bacteria in their stool.
Sources of Infection |
Prevention |
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Drinking contaminated/untreated water |
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Eating raw or undercooked meat |
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Drinking raw or unpasteurized milk |
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Drinking raw or unpasteurized cider or juices |
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Eating contaminated raw fruits or vegetables (example: lettuce, alfalfa sprouts) |
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Improper food handling and surface contamination |
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Touching infected people or animals |
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What are the symptoms?
People who get infected with E. coli can have a wide range of symptoms. You may not get sick at all. If you do get sick, you may experience:
- nausea
- vomiting
- headache
- mild fever
- severe stomach cramps
- watery or bloody diarrhea
Symptoms appear within 1 to 10 days after exposure to E. coli bacteria. Most symptoms end within 5 to 10 days. While most people recover completely on their own, some people may have a more serious illness that:
- requires hospital care
- may lead to long-lasting health effects or death
Always see a doctor if you have:
- diarrhea with blood
- an illness that continues to worsen
- an illness that is not getting better
- any time you are worried
Avoid preparing food for other people if you think you are:
- sick from E. coli infection
- suffering from any other illness of the stomach or intestines
For more information about illness due to E. coli, how E. coli is spread and where it is found please visit Health Canada’s Causes of E. coli website.
Additional Resources about E. coli:
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