Nutrition

How Much Do You Know About E. Coli Illness?

E. coli bacteria often make the news. As a source of foodborne illness, E. coli can be deadly. But aren't E. coli also regular residents of our intestines? When do E. coli become the "bad guys"? To learn more about this common bacterium, take the following quiz.

1. E. coli and other species of bacteria found in your intestines help your body do what?
2. E. coli and other intestinal bacteria have what kind of relationship with you?
3. If E. coli is a helpful bacterium, what happens to it to make you sick?
4. Where is the strain E. coli 0157 found?
5. In what kinds of food has the strain E. coli 0157 been found?
6. What does the strain E. coli 0157 do to the body?
7. Who is most vulnerable to E. coli 0157 infection?
8. What are symptoms of E. coli 0157 infection?
9. How is E. coli 0157 infection treated?
10. What can you do to prevent E. coli 0157 infection?
Online Medical Reviewer: Felson, Sabrina MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Sather, Rita RN
Online Medical Reviewer: Wojcik, Stacey, MBS, BSN, RN
Date Last Reviewed: 5/1/2023
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