Causes And Risk Factors For E. Coli Infection

Escherichia coli (E. coli) are bacteria that normally live in the intestines of both humans and animals. While most strains of E. coli are harmless, some cause a variety of serious illnesses. Common infections caused by a harmful strain of E. coli include cholangitis, bacteremia, cholecystitis, pneumonia, neonatal meningitis, traveler's diarrhea, and urinary tract infections. Nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramping or pain, and mild to severe cases of diarrhea (watery and sometimes accompanied with blood) may be experienced one day up until a week after exposure to E. coli O157: H7, the strain which causes harm to the body. Here are a few ways you are exposed to E.