E coli in baby - any experience anyone?

[Hattiecat]

My 11 month old dd has got e coli (had call from gp yesterday to say lab had been in touch witht them to say that sample looks to be growing e coli on it). anyone got any experience of this in babies (or in anyone really) like how long can in stay in system etc and anything i should be looking out for apart from her stopping eating (unlikely she eats a couple of tonnes of food a day and drinking....thanks x

There was an e-coli outbreak in my area a few weeks ago. 2 children were seriously ill in hospital with it. correct me if i am wrong but shouldnt she be in hospital. i though it was a serious infection.

this is what i don't understand - i reckon that she must be very lucky as it doesn't seem to have affected her badly, but not sure how long it takes to get to its worst. dr didn't seem to excited by it but just wandered if i was missing something...

do you know what the source of infection was?

absolutely no idea - she'd had unpleasant nappies for a couple of weeks, but as she was cutting 4 of her top teeth in 3 weeks i just put it down to that. it got worse last weekend and so took her to docs on monday, dropped sample off on weds, lab on phone thursday. waiting for public health to get in touch...

Hmmm, how awful for you
I think E coli is one of those infections that has to be followed up by the Environmental Health office as it is a very serious breach of Hygeine standards.
Just glad that your dd is still eating and drinking as normal

its completely thrown me cos my first dd had salmonella at this age (takes alot to admit that this can possibly have happened again, as am so careful with hygiene, cooking food etc). was completely beating self up over it with doc yesterday, but he said HUGE dollop of bad luck (which has been following me round healthwise all year), but even so... i really cant believe it and am questioning my whole way of doing things...

well it's actually unlikely that it's you who has started the contamination, E coli usually comes from bought cooked food, and the cross contamination usually occurs when the food is prepared. Also it is not usually an isolated contraction, it usually effects many people. Do you know if anyone else in your neighbourhood has contracted it?

not yet, though my dh had a dicky tummy so he has done a sample which we are waiting the results for, but not heard of anyone else. i'm supposed to be going into hospital on thursday for surgery and not sure whether should tell anyone this has happened - have been waiting a while for this surgery with one thing and another - dh reckons no need to say anyhting as i haven't had any symptoms...

I'm sure someone with more knowledge will come along soon, maybe martianbiship for example, but from what I know E coli is petty serious in a public health context and it may be wise to notify the hospital

Hattie - get your DD to A&E to be checked out. I can't beleive your GP sent you home unconcerned.

alexa - not even seen the gp - they just rang up to tell me the news!!!!

General information:-

You can help prevent this infection by handling and cooking meat in a safe way. For your protection, follow these rules:

• Wash your hands carefully with soap before you start cooking.
• Cook ground beef until you see no pink anywhere.
• Don't taste small bites of raw ground beef while you're cooking.
• Don't put cooked hamburgers on a plate that had raw ground beef on it before.
• Cook all hamburgers to at least 155°F. A meat thermometer can help you test your hamburgers.
• Defrost meats in the refrigerator or the microwave. Don't let meat sit on the counter to defrost.
• Keep raw meat and poultry separate from other foods. Use hot water and soap to wash cutting boards and dishes if raw meat and poultry have touched them.
• Don't drink raw milk.
• Keep food refrigerated or frozen.
• Keep hot food hot and cold food cold.
• Refrigerate leftovers right away or throw them away.
• People with diarrhoea should wash their hands carefully and often, using hot water and soap, and washing for at least 30 seconds. People who work in day care centers and homes for the elderly should wash their hands often, too.
• In restaurants, always order hamburgers that are cooked well done so that no pink shows.

Eating undercooked meat is a common source of infection. Its also been found in apple juice.

I would advise the hospital of what has happened in your family re this infection even though you are not affected.

hattie -did they give antibiotics for her?

oh - i would mention to the surgeon about the e-coli before your op.

no - they just told me to watch her for change in symptoms...