E. coli Infection Facts (cont.)

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

View Full Profile

The CDC estimates that the 0157:H7 strain is responsible for an average of 70,000 cases of infection a year in the U.S., and in total, an estimated 265,000 STEC infections occur each year in the United States. Other disease-causing strains of E. coli that have been found in the U.S. are 026:H11 and 0111:H8.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli diagnosis

The diagnosis of E. coli infection is done by testing the stool for the presence of the bacteria.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection treatment

Most infected people recover without specific treatment in five to seven days. Antibiotics have not been shown to improve the course of the disease, and experts advise against taking antidiarrheal medications such as loperamide (Imodium).

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli prevention

People can help prevent the spread of E. coli infection and reduce contamination of foods by:

• thoroughly cooking ground beef,
• avoiding unpasteurized milk and juices, and
• practicing proper hygiene, including adequate hand washing.

REFERENCE: CDC.gov. Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC).

Previous contributing editor: Barbara K. Hecht, PhD