Symptoms of an E. coli O157:H7 infection typically manifest between 3-7 days after ingestion or contact with the pathogen. Initial symptoms are similar to influenza (the flu) or similar gastrointestinal infections.
Typical symptoms include:
- diarrhea, watery and/or bloody
- fever (only in 5-20% of patients [1])
- irritability
- fatigue
- headache
- vomiting
- muscle pain
- confusion
Severe, sporadic abdominal pain and watery diarrhea are typically followed within 24-48 hours by the characteristic bloody stools. By this time, any fever present initially has typically subsided [2]. Symptoms usually end within 5-10 days [3].
Some people will exhibit no symptoms, while others may not develop bloody diarrhea but exhibit other symptoms. About 2-7% of those infected with E. coli O157:H7 develop a severe complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is the leading cause of acute renal (kidney) failure in children in the U.S. and is the main health concern when dealing with E. coli O157:H7 infections. HUS mainly affects children under 10 years of age and has a mortality rate of approximately 5% (4).
Sources:
1. Robson WLM, Leung AKC, Kaplan BS. 1993. Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome. Curr Probl Pediatr. 23:1:16-33.
2. Wong CS, Jelacic S, Habeeb RL, et a1. 2000. The risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome after antibiotic treatment of Escherichia coli 0157H7 infections. New Engl J Med. 342:1930.
3. Tarr PI, Neill MA. Esherichia coli O157:H7. 2001. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 30:3:735-751.
4. Razzaq S, M.D. 2006. Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: An Emerging Health Risk. American Academy of Family Physicians.
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