E coli is short for Escherichia coli, a type of bacteria that causes severe cramps and diarrhoea. E coli is a leading cause of bloody diarrhoea. Symptoms are worse in children and older people, and especially in people who have another illness.

Causes

Most E coli infections come from:

    • Eating undercooked ground beef
    • Drinking contaminated water
    • Drinking unpasteurised milk
    • Working with cattle.

Cattle are the main sources of E coli, but these bacteria also can be found in other domestic and wild mammals. The germ can also be passed from person to person in day-care centres and nursing homes.

Symptoms

Symptoms start about seven days after a person has been infected with the bacteria. The first sign is severe abdominal cramps that start suddenly. After a few hours, watery diarrhoea starts which lasts for about a day. The diarrhoea then changes to bright red bloody stools. The infection makes sores in the intestines, causing the stools to become bloody. Bloody diarrhoea lasts for two to five days. The sufferer might have 10 or more bowel movements a day.

If you have any of these symptoms – watery, bloody diarrhoea, cramps, fever, nausea or vomiting – consult a doctor right away.

Treatment

There is no special treatment for the infection, except drinking a lot of water and watching for complications. Don’t take medicine to stop diarrhoea unless your doctor tells you to. This medicine would keep your intestines from getting rid of the E coli germ. If you are seriously dehydrated, you might need to go to the hospital to have fluids put into your veins with an IV drip.

Prevention

You can help prevent this infection by handling and preparing food in a safe way. For your protection, follow these rules:

    • Wash your hands carefully with soap before you start cooking
    • Cook ground beef on high temperature until you see no pink anywhere
    • Don’t taste small bites of raw ground beef while you’re cooking
    • Don’t put cooked beef on a plate that had raw ground beef on it before
    • Defrost meat in the refrigerator or the microwave. Don’t let meat sit on the counter to defrost
    • Keep raw meat and poultry separate from other foods. Use hot water and soap to wash cutting boards and dishes if raw meat and poultry have touched them
    • Don’t drink raw, that is unpasteurised milk
    • Wash fruits and vegetables before eating or cooking them
    • Keep food refrigerated or frozen
    • Keep hot food hot and cold food cold
    • Refrigerate leftovers right away or throw them away
    • Wash your hands thoroughly after handling animals, animal bedding, or any material contaminated with animal faecal matter
    • People with diarrhoea should wash their hands carefully and often, using hot water and soap, and washing for at least 30 seconds
    • People who work in day care centres and homes for the elderly should wash their hands often.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about E. coli infections.