What Are the Symptoms of E. coli?
The CDC says most people with E. coli infection have diarrhea that can be bloody or watery and stomach cramps that can be severe, and some also have vomiting or a low fever. In its table of food poisoning germs, the CDC lists 3 to 4 days for E. coli, with sources including raw or undercooked ground beef, raw milk and juice, raw vegetables such as lettuce, raw sprouts and contaminated water.
The serious complication is HUS. The CDC says around 5 to 10 percent of people diagnosed with E. coli develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, a life-threatening health problem, and calls HUS a medical emergency. It says people with HUS should be hospitalized because their kidneys may stop working, and that most recover within a few weeks but some suffer permanent health problems or die.
Age raises the risk. The CDC says adults 60 or older are more likely to get seriously ill or develop HUS, as aging can bring a weaker immune system, certain medicines and less stomach acid. It estimates that each year in the United States Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157 causes about 97,000 illnesses, 3,270 hospitalizations and 30 deaths, and non-O157 strains about 169,000 illnesses and 400 hospitalizations.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Government sourceThe CDC says most people with E. coli infection have diarrhea that can be bloody or watery and stomach cramps that can be severe, and some also have vomiting or a low fever. CDC ↗
- Government sourceThe CDC's food poisoning table lists 3 to 4 days for E. coli, with sources including undercooked ground beef, raw milk and juice, raw vegetables such as lettuce, raw sprouts and contaminated water. CDC ↗
- Government sourceThe CDC says around 5 to 10 percent of people diagnosed with E. coli develop a life-threatening health problem called hemolytic uremic syndrome. CDC ↗
- Government sourceThe CDC calls HUS a medical emergency, says people with it should be hospitalized because their kidneys may stop working, and that most recover within weeks but some suffer permanent problems or die. CDC ↗
- Government sourceThe CDC says adults 60 or older are more likely to get seriously ill from E. coli or develop HUS, with aging bringing a weaker immune system, certain medicines and less stomach acid. CDC ↗
- Government sourceThe CDC estimates STEC O157 causes about 97,000 US illnesses, 3,270 hospitalizations and 30 deaths each year, and non-O157 strains about 169,000 illnesses and 400 hospitalizations. CDC ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.