E. coli 0157H7 causes about 20,000 infections and 250 deaths per year in the United States. It is the most common cause of acute renal failure in children. Several well-known outbreaks have been traced to undercooked hamburger patties that had been contaminated with the bacteria. It also has been spread by consuming unpasteurized milk, apple juice or cider. Watery, often bloody diarrhea is the most common symptom of E. coli 0157H7.
Patients also can develop nausea and severe abdominal pain or cramping.
The symptoms usually resolve within a week. Some children with this illness will develop severe complications, and up to 5 percent will die of the disease. Antibiotics have been shown to shorten the duration of symptoms for the more benign strains of E.coli . For this reason, antibiotics are typically withheld, and patients with E.coli 0157H7 are treated with supportive care, such as intravenous fluids. She is also the director of medical communications in the Program in Infectious Disease and Social Change at Harvard Medical School.