E. coli O157:H7
Most E. coli bacteria are harmless, but some strains can cause food poisoning.
Several specific types of E. coli can produce disease. E. coli belongs
to the Enterobacteriaceae family of bacteria, or enteric bacteria.
Human illness typically follows consumption of food or water that has
been contaminated with microscopic amounts of cow feces, and the raw meat
has been undercooked. Outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 have also been cause
by eating contaminated salami, lettuce and alfalfa sprouts, or drinking
unpasteurized milk and apple juice, and contaminated well water.
The illness often causes severe and bloody diarrhea, painful abdominal
cramps, and malaise, without much fever that could last about five to
ten days. Some, especially the very young, have developed Hemolytic Uremic
Syndrome (HUS) that causes acute kidney failure. This severe complication
includes temporary anemia, profuse bleeding, and kidney failure. A similar
illness, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), may occur in older
adults.
Enterotoxigenic E. coli is another type of E. coli that can cause severe
watery diarrhea. It is very common in developing countries, where it's
often spread on unwashed fruits and vegetables, and in drinking water.
It is probably responsible for the majority of traveler's diarrhea, and
is very likely the leading cause of childhood diarrhea in developing countries.
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