EHEC infection occurs after exposure to infected animals (eg, farms, petting zoos) or ingestion of undercooked beef. Shigella sonnei causes bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. However, affected patients are commonly febrile, and animal exposure is not typical as it is usually contracted through contaminated food or water.
Antimicrobials should be avoided as they may increase the risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a dangerous complication of EHEC infection.