E. coli 0157:H7
(Escherichia coli 0157:H7 infection)

• Serotype E. coli 0157:H7 is a gram-negative bacterium that can produce a bloody diarrhea due to toxins, especially Shiga (Vero) toxin, it secretes when it infects the human intestine.
• Other E. coli serotypes like 0145 can act like 0157:H7 if they aquire the ability to produce Shiga (Vero) toxin.
• The symptoms of E. coli 0157:H7 infection may include a low fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and bloody diarrhea; the infection is contagious and can be spread from person to person by fecal contamination.
• E. coli 0157:H7 is notorious because it can cause additional complications in children and the elderly; renal failure, anemia, and dehydration especially for children (termed HUS or hemolytic uremic syndrome) and spontaneous bleeding, organ failures, and mental changes in the elderly (termed TTP or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura). Some of these patients develop permanent disabilities or die.
• Diagnosis is definitively made when E. coli 0157:H7 is isolated, usually from the patient's stool, and identified as serotype 0157 by immunologic tests.
• Most E. coli 0157:H7 infections resolve spontaneously and require no treatment; however supportive treatment is usually quickly required if the patient becomes dehydrated, anemic, or develops HUS or TTP.
• The majority of E. coli 0157:H7 infections have excellent outcomes. If complications develop such as severe dehydration, anemia, HUS or TTP, the outcomes can decline from good to poor quickly.
• Infection with E. coli 0157:H7 usually comes from eating contaminated food. Prevention of consists of eating well cooked foods, especially hamburger, and drinking treated or pasteurized fluids. Avoiding touching or eating any food that may be contaminated with any animal or human waste will help prevent the infection.
• There is no E. coli 0157:H7 vaccine available for humans.

Source: MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/e_coli__0157h7/article.htm