E.coli: Sypmtoms, Treatment and Prevention for Foodborne Illness

There are hundreds of types of the E. coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria, and while most are completely harmless, there are several strains that can and do make many people critically ill every year. E.coli can be found on an animal's fur and in their intestines, so animal nurseries at many zoos are a high traffic area for such germs. Cattle are known to be the primary carriers of the E. coli O157 and this strain should be looked for in testing in the event of illness.

E.coli can also be found on and in fresh vegetables, so with the summer season approaching and people eating many more salads and raw vegetables, it is important to educate yourself in order to be able to take the appropriate action to protect yourself and your families.

Swimming in pools and swallowing the water can also be dangerous. The water may contain human waste, and if so, it is also likely an infection can be caught simply by swimming in this water whether it is swallowed or not. Salami is another source of possible E.coli bacteria, as is unpasteurized milk and unprocessed fruit juices.

Prevention:

-Scrubbing or rinsing your vegetables is highly advisable since the E.coli is found in many animals including sheep,goats and cattle whose manure is often used in the fertilization process.

-Many people pick up the virus through eating undercooked meat, so even if you like rare beef, it is wise to order your meal cooked thoroughly for this very reason. The meat must reach 160 degrees to be considered fully cooked.

-Show your children form a very young age how important their personal hygiene is. Make sure they know to wash their hands thoroughly after using the bathroom, or having been in the playground. Children can spread this virus so easily between themselves from picking up the bacteria at school or preschool.

-Cross contamination can spread the bacteria in your kitchen, so it is always important to use two different knifes for meat and vegetable preparation.

Symptoms:

Although some show no symptoms and the disease may clear itself in one 10 days or so, others may exhibit high fever, bloody diarrhea and severe cramping in the stomach. Diagnosis is bought about by testing stool samples for the presence of the bacteria. Sadly, there are sometimes long term complications from E. coli O157 infection. These include organ failure, particularly the kidneys, bowel issues resulting in necessary partial removal, blindness and paralysis.

Treatment:

In severe cases, blood transfusion and dialysis may be necessary. Antibiotics and anti diarrhea medication are not thought to be at all useful, and can in fact cause more health risks.

Sources:

For more information and to retrieve a fact sheet, visit the Food Safety And Inspection Service:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/

A food safety video can be seen here:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/Food_Safety_Videos/index.asp