How is an E. coli infection treated?

Most people completely recover within 5 to 10 days without antibiotics or other specific treatments. Infected persons that experience life-threatening kidney complications are treated with intensive care and may require blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Antidiarrheal products like Imodium® (loperamide) should not be used. Antibiotics are not used to treat this type of infection. No existing evidence shows antibiotics improve the disease. The use of antibiotics in persons with E. coli infections may lead to serious kidney complications.

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1. What is E. coli 0157:H7?
2. What happens when a person is infected with E. coli?
3. How does E. coli spread?
4. How is an E. coli infection diagnosed?
5. What kind of testing is done?
6. What is an outbreak?
7. How is an E. coli infection treated?
8. What steps can a person take to prevent an E. coli infection?