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Facts About E.coli 0157 (VTEC)
What Is VTEC?

VTEC stands for `verocytotoxin producing Escherichia coli' and may also be called `E coli 0157'. It is a bacterium (germ) that can infect the intestines (guts), usually causing diarrhoea. In a few people it causes serious illness.

What Illness Does It Cause?

VTEC usually causes diarrhoea. This can be severe, especially in adults, producing a dysentery-like illness with blood in the faeces (stool/motion). The severe form of diarrhoeal disease is known as haemorrhagic colitis.

A person can also be infected and have no illness at all.

In a few people. about 5% of those with VTEC diarrhoea, infection can be complicated by anaemia and kidney disease (a disease called haemoytic uraemic syndrome). With hospital treatment persons with this complication normally recover. However, recovery cannot be taken for granted, and this is why VTEC requires special precautions to control spread.

What Are The Signs Of Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome?

Only a minority of people with VTEC get haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), but it is commoner in children than adults. A child who develops HUS will be generally unwell and may be unusually pale. He or she will pass less urine, or none at all, and the arms, legs or face may become puffy or swollen.

What Is The Treatment?

In severe cases VTEC diarrhoea may require hospital treatment to replace lost fluid. Hospital treatment is also required for haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Antibiotics are not normally required to eradicated the germ because recovery form the infection is spontaneous.

Where Does VTEC Come From?

The main reservoir of VTEC (the ultimate source of human infection) is thought to be the intestines of cattle. Humans may be infected by eating undercooked meat products, unpasteurised milk or food contaminated during preparation by VTEC present on raw meat; or by close contact with farm animals.

How Is VTEC Spread?

A person gets VTEC infection by swallowing the germ. It is carried to the mouth on unwashed hands or contaminated food. It is excreted in the faeces for a few days, occasionally weeks. Once human infection has occurred VTEC can spread from person to person by transfer of germs from faeces to food or other things put in the mouth, such as children's fingers or toys. So it is not surprising that person-to-person spread is more common among young children, especially in nurseries and playschools. It does not spread though the air. Careful hand hygiene is the key to prevention of spread.