1. What is E. Coli?
E. coli is a common type of bacteria that can get into food, like beef and vegetables. The strange thing about these bacteria and lots of other bacteria is that they're not always harmful to you. E. coli normally lives inside your intestines, where it helps your body break down and digest the food you eat.
2. How E. Coli affects us?
There are many strains (over 700 serotypes) of E. coli. Most of the E. coli are normal inhabitants of the small intestine and colon and do not cause disease in the intestines (non-pathogenic). Nevertheless, these non-pathogenic E. coli can cause disease if they spread outside of the intestines, for example, into the urinary tract (where they cause bladder or kidney infections), or into the blood stream (sepsis). Other E. coli strains (enterovirulent E. coli strains or EEC) cause "poisoning" or diarrhea even though they usually remain within the intestine by producing toxins or intestinal inflammation. There are four to six groups (some researchers combine groups) of E. coli strains that comprise EEC.
- EHEC (enterohemorrhagic E. coli)
- ETEC (enterotoxigenic E. coli)
- EPEC (enteropathogenic E. coli)
- EIEC (enteroinvasive E. coli
- EAEC (enteroadherent E. coli
- EAggEC (enteroaggregative E. coli)
E. coli were first isolated by T. Escherich in 1885 and were named after him. The over 700 serotypes are identified by small antigenic changes in their surface "O" antigens (lipopolysaccharides or molecules on the bacterial surface of gram-negative bacteria).
3. How does E. coli get into food?
The bacteria live in the intestines of some healthy cattle, and contamination of the meat may occur in the slaughtering process. Eating meat that is rare or inadequately cooked is the most common way of possible exposure to E. coli contamination. Person-to-person transmission also can occur if infected people do not adequately wash their hands. Produce may become contaminated by pathogenic E. coli due to exposure to contaminated water, improper use of manure, or improper handling at the plant, in transport, at the retailer, or in the home.
Such outbreaks have been increasingly associated with fresh produce, such as lettuce and spinach, but outbreaks have also been traced to unpasteurized apple and orange juices, raw milk, alfalfa sprouts, and water.
4. Symptoms:
Symptoms of an intestinal E. coli infection vary by person but can include:
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea (usually bloody)
- Vomiting
- Low-grade fever (typically not over 101)
These symptoms usually resolve on their own within 5 to 7 days. E. coli infections are mild in most people, but they can be serious or even life threatening in others.
Symptoms of an E. coli infection typically start 3 to 5 days after exposure to the bacteria, but they can occur as early as one day or as late as 10 days after exposure.
5. What you can do at Home?
Follow these tips to prevent dehydration and reduce symptoms while you recover:
- Clear liquids. Drink plenty of clear liquids, including water, clear sodas and broths, gelatin, and juices. Avoid apple and pear juices, caffeine and alcohol.
- Add foods gradually. When you start feeling better, stick to low-fiber foods at first. Try soda crackers, toast, eggs or rice.
- Avoid certain foods. Dairy products, fatty foods, high-fiber foods or highly seasoned foods can make symptoms worse.
6. How to Prevent it?
No vaccine or medication can protect you from E. coli-based illness, though researchers are investigating potential vaccines. To reduce your chance of being exposed to E. coli, avoid risky foods and avoid cross-contamination.
Risky foods
- Avoid pink hamburger. Hamburgers should be well-done. Meat, especially if grilled, is likely to brown before it's completely cooked, so use a meat thermometer to ensure that meat is heated to at least 160 F (71 C) at its thickest point. If you don't have a thermometer, cook ground meat until no pink shows in the center.
- Drink pasteurized milk, juice and cider. Any boxed or bottled juice kept at room temperature is likely to be pasteurized, even if the label doesn't say so.
- Wash raw produce thoroughly. Although washing produce won't necessarily get rid of all E. coli especially in leafy greens, which provide many spots for the bacteria to attach themselves to careful rinsing can remove dirt and reduce the amount of bacteria that may be clinging to the produce.
Avoid cross-contamination
- Wash utensils. Use hot soapy water on knives, countertops and cutting boards before and after they come into contact with fresh produce or raw meat.
- Keep raw foods separate. This includes using separate cutting boards for raw meat and foods such as vegetables and fruits. Never put cooked hamburgers on the same plate you used for raw patties.
- Wash your hands. Wash your hands after preparing or eating food, using the bathroom or changing diapers. Make sure that children also wash their hands before eating, after using the bathroom and after contact with animals.
7. 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.
