Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157
How to prevent E. coli O157 from spreading at home
Strict hygiene measures are essential to stop others getting infected.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap in running water and dry them completely . Use liquid soap and warm water if you can.
- Everyone must wash their hands after contact with an infected person , particularly after handling their clothes or bedding.
- Always wash hands after going to the toilet or changing babies nappies, and before preparing or serving food or eating meals . Anyone who has been infected should avoid cooking or preparing food until 48 hours after their symptoms have cleared up.
- Do not share towels or nappy changing mats .
- Wash soiled clothing and bed linen separately from other clothes in a washing machine at the highest temperature possible (e.g. 60C).
- Wipe down the outside of the washing machine with hot water and detergent after any heavily soiled load . After handling soiled bedclothes or clothing, wash your hands thoroughly.
- Clean toilet seats, toilet flush handles, basin taps, surfaces and toilet door handles at least daily , preferably more often, using hot water and detergent.
- Disinfection sprays and wipes or alcohol-based wipes may be used on toilet seats and other surfaces, but only after any visible soiling has been removed .
- Thick household bleach is highly effective . Dilute one part bleach to every 10 parts water for soiled surfaces and one part bleach to every 100 parts water for other hard surfaces. Ideally, use heavy-duty domestic rubber gloves and disposable cloths for cleaning.
- Dispose of cloths by placing them in a plastic bag, sealing the neck and placing in household waste . Thoroughly wash rubber gloves in hot water and detergent after use, then rinse and allow to dry. Do not clean soiled items in the kitchen.
- Deal with any spillage of faeces immediately . Clean the soiled area with hot water and detergent using heavy-duty domestic rubber gloves. Clean gloves (as above) and wash hands thoroughly.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
NHS Choices information on Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157, a bacterial infection that can cause severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhoea and more serious complications.
Symptoms of E. coli O157 infection
Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and occasionally fever. About half of people with the infection will have bloody diarrhoea. People usually notice symptoms three to four days after they hav
Treatment and care at home
There is no specific treatment for E. coli O157 infection. People who are infected can usually be cared for at home and most will get better without medical treatment. It is important to drink plenty
How to prevent E. coli O157 from spreading at home
Strict hygiene measures are essential to stop others getting infected. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap in running water and dry them completely . Use liquid soap and warm water if you can. E
Returning to work or school
Anyone who has had an E. coli O157 infection should stay away from work or school until they have been completely free of symptoms for 48 hours. Most people are no longer infectious after about a wee
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