Overview

E. coli is the name of a germ, or bacterium, that can live in your stomach and intestines. Some types of E. coli can cause illness and symptoms such as bloody diarrhea and cramps.

Symptoms of E. coli infection usually end in about 1 week with no further problems. But some people have severe blood and kidney problems.

People in Canada most often get an E. coli infection from eating meat that has been contaminated with E. coli. You can also get the infection from eating raw fruits and vegetables or dairy products that are contaminated with the bacteria. And you can get it from others who are infected.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• E. coli usually goes away on its own. You usually don't need antibiotics.
• Do not use over-the-counter antidiarrheal medicine if you have diarrhea. These products include Imodium or Kaopectate Anti-Diarrheal.
• When you feel like eating again, start with small amounts of food.
• To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of fluids. Choose water and other clear liquids until you feel better. Soda, fruit juices, and sports drinks have too much sugar and not enough of the important electrolytes that are lost during diarrhea. These kinds of drinks should not be used to rehydrate. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your doctor before you increase the amount of fluids you drink.

To prevent E. coli infection

• Never eat raw or undercooked ground beef or pork. Cook ground meat to a temperature of at least 71 C (160 F). Always use a meat thermometer. Ground beef should be cooked until all pink colour is gone.
• Cut open restaurant and home-cooked hamburgers to make sure that they have been completely cooked. The juices should be clear or yellowish, with no trace of pink.
• When preparing food, wash your hands often with hot, soapy water, especially after handling raw meat.
• Always wash cooking tools, cutting boards, dishes, countertops, and utensils with hot, soapy water right after they have come into contact with raw meat. Do not put cooked meat back onto a plate that has held raw meat unless you have thoroughly washed the plate.
• Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and for other food items.
• Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood separate from vegetables, fruits, breads, and other foods that have already been prepared for eating.
• Use only pasteurized milk, dairy, and juice products. Check product labels for the word "pasteurized." Juice made from concentrate is the same as pasteurized.
• Wash raw fruits and vegetables under running water before eating them.

To prevent spreading E. coli

• Wash your hands often, and always wash them after bowel movements or changing diapers. If your home has more than one bathroom, use one bathroom while you are sick and ask the rest of your family to use the other bathroom.
• Dispose of soiled diapers and stools carefully.
• Ask your doctor when it will be okay to handle food or work in a daycare centre or other institution.