Symptoms of E.coli O157:H7 infection include severe abdominal cramps and watery diarrhea. The diarrhea may become bloody and can lead to dehydration. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all. There is usually little or no fever. Symptoms usually resolve in 5-10 days.
Complications of E. coli O157:H7 infection may include Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a serious medical condition that may occur in about 2%-7% of cases. HUS is characterized by destruction of red blood cells, damage to the lining of blood vessel walls, and in severe cases, kidney failure. Blood transfusions and kidney dialysis are often required. Children and the elderly are at greatest risk for developing HUS. HUS is the principal cause of acute kidney failure in children in the United States.
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) is a clinical syndrome characterized by low blood platelet counts, anemia, and kidney failure. Doctors may refer to adult HUS as TTP due to similar clinical features. To learn more about E.coli foodborne illness, please visit the website foodpoisoning.com.
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If you or a family member has suffered from E. coli food poisoning, and you have a question about your legal rights, you can request a free case evaluation from our firm by clicking on free case evaluation. You may also contact us toll free at 1-877-934-6274.
January 3rd, 2007
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that E. coli foodborne illness affects approximately 73,000 people in the United States each year, causing 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths.
E. coli O157:H7 is just one of hundreds of strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli. It was first recognized as a cause of enteric disease in 1982, following an outbreak of severe bloody diarrhea. It was later traced to contaminated hamburgers. The disease is typically characterized by severe diarrhea (often bloody) and abdominal cramps. E. coli O157:H7 produces a powerful toxin and can cause severe illness. Children and the elderly are at greatest risk for complications resulting from E. coli O157:H7 infection.
E. coli foodborne illness is most often associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef and other meat products. Other sources of infection include contaminated, non-pasteurized milk and juice, sprouts, leafy greens such as lettuce and spinach, swimming in sewage-contaminated lakes and pools, and drinking inadequately chlorinated water.
Person-to-person contact in families, childcare centers, and nursing homes is also an important mode of transmission. Bacteria in the stools of infected individuals can be passed from one person to another if hygiene or handwashing habits are inadequate.
If you suspect that you are suffering from a foodborne illness, it is important to contact your doctor and your county board of health. A diagnosis of E. coli foodborne illness is confirmed by performing a stool culture that can detect the presence of the pathogenic bacterium.
Free Case Evaluation
If you or a family member has suffered from E. coli food poisoning, and you have a question about your legal rights, you can request a free case evaluation from our firm by clicking on free case evaluation. You may also contact us toll free at 1-877-934-6274.
January 2nd, 2007
What I have learned in well over two decades spent in the pursuit of justice for injured clients is that knowledge is power. In the case of food poisoning, consumers need to know the signs and symptoms of foodborne illness so that they can protect themselves and their families.
That’s why I decided to create this blog. I hope it helps you to better understand the foodborne pathogen, E. coli, and symptoms of E. coli food poisoning; and helps keep you abreast of the latest news about outbreaks. I also hope that you become a frequent visitor to this site. Please let me know if there is any way in which I can help you as you navigate through the sometimes difficult and dangerous world of food by clicking here.
For more information about food and consumer safety, also visit www.foodpoisoning.com. To learn more about our law practice and successful cases, please visit www.erichweinberg.com.
Thank you,
Eric H. Weinberg
Attorney
January 1st, 2007