Symptoms:

Symptoms occur when E. coli bacteria enter the intestine. The time between being infected and developing symptoms is usually 24 - 72 hours.

Diarrhea that is sudden, severe, and often bloody is the most common symptom.

Other symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Gas
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach cramping
• Vomiting (rare)

Symptoms of a rare but severe E. coli infection include:

• Bruises that happen easily
• Pale skin
• Red or bloody urine
• Reduced amount of urine

Signs and tests:

Your health care provider will examine you for signs of food poisoning, such as pain in the stomach and signs your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should, called dehydration.

Laboratory tests of your food of your stools may be done to determine if E.coli is causing your symptoms.