E. coli O157:H7 is a growing cause of food-borne illness. An estimated 73,000 cases of these E. coli infections occur in the U.S. every year, according to the CDC.
Most E. coli O157:H7 infections have been associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef. Drinking unpasteurized milk and swimming in or drinking sewage-contaminated water can also cause infection. Bacteria from stools of infected people can be passed to others if less than adequate hygiene or hand-washing habits are present. Young children often continue to shed the organism in their feces for a week or two after their illness resolves.
Symptoms of E.coli infection can include severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps, but sometimes the infection causes non-bloody diarrhea, a slight fever, or no symptoms at all.
In some people, particularly children under age 5 and the elderly, the E. coli infection can cause a serious complication called haemolytic uremic syndrome. Haemolytic uremic syndrome causes the destruction of red blood cells and kidney failure. About 2%-7% of infections lead to this complication, according to the CDC.
PREVENTING E. Coli O157:H7 IINFECTION.
You can prevent E. coli infection by thoroughly cooking ground beef, avoiding unpasteurized milk, and washing hands carefully after handling meat, using the bathroom, or changing diapers.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF E. Coli O157:H7.
If you think you may have been exposed to the E. coli infection, see your doctor. By testing a sample of stool, the bacteria can be identified. It is recommended by the CDC that all those who have sudden, bloody diarrhea get their stool tested for this type of E. coli. Most people recover on their own within about five to 10 days.
Haemolytic uremic syndrome is a medical emergency and most often will be treated in an intensive care unit.
SOURCE:
WebMD
No comments:
Post a Comment