Almost everyone has some risk of infection. Because there are so many possible sources, for most people we can only guess. Public health experts rely on estimates rather than actual numbers of infections because not all STEC infections are diagnosed, for several reasons.
Many infected people do not seek medical care; many of those who do seek care do not provide a stool specimen for testing, and many labs do not test for non-O STEC. However, this situation is changing as more labs have begun using newer, simpler tests that can help detect non-O STEC. STEC infections are usually diagnosed through laboratory testing of stool specimens feces. Identifying the specific strain of STEC is essential for public health purposes, such as finding outbreaks.
However, for the O group serogroup and other characteristics of non-O STEC to be identified, Shiga toxin-positive specimens must be sent to a state public health laboratory.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have diarrhea that lasts for more than 3 days, or it is accompanied by high fever, blood in the stool, or so much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down and you pass very little urine. Non-specific supportive therapy, including hydration, is important. Antibiotics should not be used to treat this infection. There is no evidence that treatment with antibiotics is helpful, and taking antibiotics may increase the risk of HUS.
School and work exclusion policies differ by local jurisdiction. Check with your local or state health department to learn more about the laws where you live. In any case, good hand-washing after changing diapers, after using the toilet, and before preparing food is essential to prevent the spread of these and many other infections.
Sign up for RSS Feed. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Questions and Answers. Minus Related Pages. Shiga toxin-producing E. HUS generally begins about 5 to 10 days after the onset of diarrhea.
People and animals normally have some E. The bacteria that cause infection can enter into your body in a number of ways. Whether food is prepared at home, in a restaurant, or in a grocery store, unsafe handling and preparation can cause contamination.
Common causes of food poisoning include:. Poor sanitation can cause water to contain bacteria from human or animal waste. You can get the infection from drinking contaminated water or from swimming in it. The bacteria are then spread when that person touches someone or something else, like food. Nursing homes, schools, and child care facilities are particularly vulnerable to person-to-person spreading. People who work with animals, especially cows, goats, and sheep, are at increased risk for infection.
Anyone who touches animals or who works in an environment with animals should wash their hands regularly and thoroughly. While anyone can experience an E. Some risk factors include:. You should see your doctor if:. Drink plenty of water, get lots of rest, and keep an eye out for more severe symptoms that require a call to your doctor.
If you have bloody diarrhea or fever, check with your doctor before taking over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications. You should always check with your pediatrician before giving medications to infants or children. If dehydration is a concern, your doctor may order hospitalization and intravenous fluids. Most people show improvement within five to seven days after the onset of an infection, and make a full recovery.
Publications E. There are different types of E. How can you get sick from the harmful type of E. Once someone has consumed contaminated food or water, this infection can be passed from person to person by hand to mouth contact. How do you prevent E. Drink only pasteurized apple cider and milk. Never let youngsters sample milk produced directly from the animal. Wash all fruits and vegetables before eating.
Thorough hand washing is always a good practice. Make sure hands are washed with soap and water after using the toilet, handling diapers, pets, livestock or before preparing food.
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