Coli

2 Pages 620 Words

What is E. coli O157:H7 ?
E. coli O157:H7 (or simply E. coli) is just one of the hundreds of strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli. Most strains of E. coli are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals. E. coli, however, produces a powerful toxin that can cause a severe infection. (The combination of letters and numbers in the name of the bacterium refers to the specific markers found on its surface and distinguishes it from other types of E. coli.)

An estimated 10,000 to 20,000 cases of E. coli infection occur in the United States each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes E. coli as an emerging food-borne illness.

How is the E. coli infection spread ?
Most E. coli illness has been associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef. E. coli bacteria live in the intestines of healthy cattle and, although the number of organisms required to cause disease is not known, it is suspected to be very small. Meat becomes contaminated during slaughter, and organisms can be thoroughly mixed into beef when it is ground. Contaminated beef looks and smells normal. Other ways to transmit E. coli include:

Person-to-person contact in families and in child-care and other institutional-care centers can also be places where the transmission of the bacteria can occur.
Bacteria present on a cow's udders, or on equipment, may get into raw milk causing the infection.
Infection may occur after swimming in or drinking sewage-contaminated water.
It has been confirmed that unpasteurized juices, such as apple cider, may also cause the infection.
What are the symptoms of an E. coli infection?
An E. coli infection can make a person very ill. The following are some of the most common symptoms associated with E. coli. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently, and some individuals may have no symptoms at all. Symptoms may include:

severe bloody diarrhea o...