Most people who are infected recover completely in seven to ten days. Medical treatment may include blood transfusions, kidney dialysis or even kidney transplants. Hamburger disease has led to death in some cases. If you have hamburger disease, you may feel nauseated, have diarrhea, stomach cramps and a mild fever. You may feel this way between two and ten days after eating the food that has the bacteria.
Hamburger disease can go on to cause internal bleeding, bloody diarrhea and even kidney failure.
The bacteria that causes hamburger disease is very common. It lives in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. When cattle are killed and cut-up, bacteria from the animals' intestinal tract sometimes gets on the meat. Some of these bacteria can cause you to get sick if they are eaten. Although most often associated with ground beef, the hamburger disease bacteria is also found in most raw meats and unpasteurized milk.