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Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

Most people don't seek medical attention for E. coli infections. But if your symptoms are particularly severe, you may want to visit your family doctor or seek immediate care.

What you can do
If you do go to the doctor, you may want to write a list of answers to the following questions:

  • How often are you having diarrhea?
  • Are you vomiting? If so, how often?
  • Does your vomit or diarrhea contain bile, mucus or blood?
  • Have you had a fever? If so, how high?

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor may ask:

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • Are you also having abdominal cramps?
  • Have you recently traveled outside the country?
  • Does anyone else in your household have the same symptoms?
Tests and diagnosis Complications
References
  1. Escherichia coli O157:H7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/ecoli_o157h7. Accessed May 19, 2011.
  2. Guerrant RL. Escherichia enteric infections. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed May 19, 2011.
  3. Craig S, et al. Acute invasive bacterial enteritis. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..X0001-1--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&uniqId=230100505-57. Accessed May 19, 2011.
  4. Calderwood SB. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 19, 2011.
  5. Calderwood SB. Microbiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology and prevention of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 19, 2011.
  6. Basic information about E. coli O157:H7 in drinking water. Environmental Protection Agency. http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/ecoli.cfm. Accessed May 19, 2011.
DS01007 July 28, 2011

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