infectious diseases
Infection by Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Other Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)
Symptoms and Signs
EHEC infection typically begins acutely with severe abdominal cramps and watery diarrhea that may become grossly bloody within 24 hours. Some patients report diarrhea as being “all blood and no stool,” which has given rise to the term hemorrhagic colitis. Fever, usually absent or low grade, occasionally reaches 39°C. Diarrhea may last 1 to 8 days in uncomplicated infections. Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) causes a rapid fall in hematocrit and platelet count, elevated serum creatinine, hypertension, and possibly signs of fluid overload, bleeding diathesis, and neurologic symptoms and signs. 