What is E. coli?

E. coli is a  common kind of bacteria that lives in the intestines of animals and people.  There are many strains of E. coli. Most  are harmless.  However, one dangerous  strain is called E. coli O157:H7.  It produces a powerful poison. You can become  very sick if it gets into your food or water.

In 1999 it was estimated that about 73,000 people in the U.S.  got sick each year from E. coli. About  60 died.  It’s believed that the number  of illnesses and deaths has been dropping since then.

How is E.  coli O157:H7 spread?

Outbreaks often are caused by food that has gotten the bacteria, E coli, in it. Bacteria can get accidentally  mixed into ground beef before packaging. Eating undercooked meat can spread the  bacteria, even though the meat looks and smells normal. E. coli can also live on cows’ udders. It may get into milk that is  not pasteurized.

Raw vegetables, sprouts, and fruits that have been grown or  washed in dirty water can carry E. coli O157:H7.  It can get into drinking water, lakes, or swimming pools that have sewage in them.  It is also spread by people who have not washed their hands after going to the  toilet.

E. coli can be spread to playmates  by toddlers who are not toilet trained or by adults who do not wash their hands  carefully after changing diapers. Children can pass the bacteria in their stool to  another person for 2 weeks after they have gotten well from an E. coli O157:H7 illness. Older children and adults rarely carry the bacteria without symptoms.

What are the signs of E.  coli O157:H7 sickness?

Bloody diarrhea and stomach pain are the most common  signs of E. coli O157:H7 sickness.  People usually do not have a fever, or may have only a slight fever.

Some people, especially children under 5 and the elderly,  can become very sick from E. coli O157:H7. The infection damages their red blood cells and their kidneys. This  only happens to about 1 out of 50 people, but it is very serious. Without  hospital care, they can die. See a doctor right away if you think you may have  gotten sick from E. coli O157:H7.

How will my doctor know if E. coli O157:H7 made me sick?

Your doctor will test to see if your sickness was caused by E. coli by sending a stool sample to a lab. The lab will test for the bacteria.

Anyone  who suddenly has diarrhea with blood in it should call or see a doctor.

How is it treated?

Your doctor will tell you what is best.   Taking medicine on your own may not help you get better, and it could  make things worse. Do not take antibiotics or diarrhea medicine like Imodium®  unless your doctor tells you to.

Will E. coli O157:H7 infection cause  problems for me later?

People  who have only diarrhea and stomach ache usually get completely well in 5-10  days. They do not have problems later.

For  those people who get very sick and have kidney failure, about 1 out of 3 may  have kidney problems later. In rare cases, people have other problems like high  blood pressure, blindness, or are paralyzed. Talk to your doctor if you have  questions about this.

What is the U.S. government doing to keep food safe from E. coli O157:H7?

New laws have helped keep food  from being contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. They keep meat safer  during slaughter and grinding, and vegetables safer  when they are grown, picked, and washed. But there is still a chance that E. coli O157:H7 could reach your food,  so you should take the precautions listed below.

What can I do to stay safe from E. coli O157:H7?

• During an outbreak:  Carefully follow instructions provided by public health officials on  what foods to avoid in order to protect yourself and your family from  infection.
• Cook all ground beef thoroughly. During an  outbreak of E. coli O157:H7, vegetables should be boiled  for at least 1 minute before serving.
• Cook ground beef to 160° F Test the meat by putting a  food thermometer in the thickest part of the meat. Do not eat  ground beef that is still pink in the middle.
• If a restaurant serves you an under-cooked hamburger,  send it back for more cooking. Ask for a new bun and a clean  plate, too.
• Don’t spread bacteria in your kitchen. Keep raw meat away from other foods. Wash your hands,  cutting board, counter, dishes, and knives and forks with hot soapy water after  they touch raw meat, spinach, greens, or sprouts.
• Never put cooked hamburgers or meat  on the plate they were on before cooking. Wash the meat  thermometer after use.
• Drink only pasteurized  milk, juice, or cider. Frozen juice or juice sold  in boxes and glass jars at room temperature  has been pasteurized, although it may not say so on the label.
• Drink water from safe sources like municipal water that has been treated with  chlorine, wells that have been tested or bottled water.
• Do not swallow lake or pool water while you are  swimming.

Read More: http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/qa_ecoli_sickness.htm

If you or a loved one have become ill with E. coli, please contact the experienced personal injury attorneys of Strong-Garner-Bauer, P.C. at 417-887-4300.