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E coli enteritis    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Traveler's diarrhea; Food poisoning; E. coli diarrhea; "Hamburger disease"

Definition:

An inflammation of the small intestine caused by Escherichia coli bacteria.

Causes and Risks

E. coli enteritis is a type of bacterial gastroenteritis. The symptoms are a result of toxins and/or bacterial invasion into the intestine.  The incubation period is 24 to 72 hours. In adults, the infection is usually not severe, but in children and infants, the infection frequently requires hospitalization, and in some cases is life-threatening.

Certain types of E. coli infection (usually caused by the Escherichia coli) are associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome, an acute disease characterized by distruction of the red blood cells, drastic decrease in the platelets, and acute kidney failure.

Risk factors include recent family illness with E. coli, recent family illness with gastroenteritis symptoms, recent travel to an area endemic for E. coli, or exposure to untreated or contaminated water.

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