What is Escherichia coli or E. coli?:
According to the CDC, E. coli is a bacteria common to both animals and people. One of the most dangerous strains for people is called 0157:H7 because of the potent toxin it produces.
How Does E. coli Get into Our Food?:
- E. coli bacteria can be on the hands of those who do not follow proper handwashing procedures.
- E. coli can be in water that is contaminated with untreated sewage from people or animals, so it can get into swimming pools, drinking water and irrigation water.
- Fruits and vegetables that are irrigated with contaminated water and eaten raw is one way E. coli can be ingested by people.
- E. coli can also be found in raw milk from cows or other milk-producing animals who carry the bacteria on unclean udders. Most milk sold in stores is pasteurized killing E. coli and other organisms.
- Finally, E. coli can be in fresh meat.
Who Gets E. coli Infections?:
Anyone can be infected by E. coli, but those most affected tend to be very young people and the elderly as well as those who are immuno-compromised.
What Are the Symptoms of E. coli Infection?:
- Bloody diarrhea is one of the most alarming symptoms of an E. coli infection.
- Other symptoms include stomach pain.
- Fever may or may not be present.
- vomiting
- irritability
Are there any complications from E. coli infection?
The most common complication is called hemolytic uremic syndrome. People with this problem get hemolytic anemia (which is a low red blood cell count), thrombocytopenia (which is a low platelet count) and renal failure (which is kidney damage).
Hemolytic uremic syndrome is more common in children. It can cause acute renal failure in children. This problem starts about 5 to 10 days after the diarrhea starts. People with this problem must go to a hospital for medical care.
References:
Robin Goldman and Henry M. Adam. Escherichia coli. Pediatr. Rev., Mar 2006; 27: 114 - 115.
Nicole Shilkofski and Tina L. Cheng. Escherichia coli O157:H7. Pediatr. Rev., Feb 2004; 25: 75 - 76.
CDC. Escherichia coli O157:H7
How is the infection treated?
There is no special treatment, except drinking a lot of water and watching for complications. Don’t take medicine to stop diarrhea unless your doctor tells you to. This medicine would keep your intestines from getting rid of the E. coli germ. If you are seriously dehydrated, you might need to go to the hospital to have fluids put into your veins with an IV.
How can I keep from getting E. coli infection?
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 diarrhea 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.