Some types of E. coli can cause disease. It is the same bacteria which has caused illness and deaths in the recent outbreak in Walkerton, Ontario.
Symptoms can start two to ten days after contact with the germ.
The first sign is usually abdominal cramps that start suddenly. After a few hours, watery diarrhea starts. This makes you feel sick and tired. You may have a mild fever. You may also have nausea or vomiting.