E. Coli Infection in Children: Care Instructions

Overview

E. coli is the name of a germ, or bacterium, that can live in your child's stomach and intestines. Some types of E. coli can cause illness and symptoms, such as bloody diarrhea and cramps.

Symptoms of E. coli infection usually end in about 1 week with no further problems. But some children have severe blood and kidney problems.

People in the United States most often get an E. coli infection from eating meat that has been contaminated with E. coli. Your child can also get the infection from eating raw fruits and vegetables or dairy products that are contaminated with the bacteria. And your child can get it from others who are infected.

How can you care for your child at home?

• E. coli usually goes away on its own. Your child usually doesn't need antibiotics.
• Do not use over-the-counter antidiarrheal medicine if your child has diarrhea. These products include Imodium or Maalox Anti-Diarrheal.
• Start to offer small amounts of food when your child feels like eating again.
• Give your child lots of fluids a little at a time. This is very important if your child is vomiting or has diarrhea. Give your child sips of water or drinks such as Pedialyte or Infalyte. These drinks contain a mix of salt, sugar, and minerals. You can buy them at drugstores or grocery stores. Give these drinks as long as your child is throwing up or has diarrhea. Do not use them as the only source of liquids or food for more than 12 to 24 hours.

To prevent E. coli infection

• Never eat raw or undercooked ground beef or pork. Cook ground meat to a temperature of at least 160° F. Always use a meat thermometer. Ground beef should be cooked until all pink color is gone.
• Cut open restaurant and home-cooked hamburgers to make sure that they have been completely cooked. The juices should be clear or yellowish, with no trace of pink.
• When preparing food, wash your hands often with hot, soapy water, especially after handling raw meat.
• Always wash cooking tools, cutting boards, dishes, countertops, and utensils with hot, soapy water right after they have come into contact with raw meat. Do not put cooked meat back onto a plate that has held raw meat unless you have thoroughly washed the plate.
• Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and for other food items.
• Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood separate from vegetables, fruits, breads, and other foods that have already been prepared for eating.
• Use only pasteurized milk, dairy, and juice products. Check product labels for the word "pasteurized." Juice made from concentrate is the same as pasteurized.
• Wash raw fruits and vegetables under running water before eating them.

To prevent spreading E. coli

• Be sure your child washes their hands often, and always washes them after bowel movements. If your home has more than one bathroom, have your child use one bathroom while your child is sick and ask the rest of your family to use the other bathroom.
• Dispose of soiled diapers and stools carefully.
• Keep your child from contact with other children during the infection. Don't let your child go swimming.