Everything You Always Wanted To Know About E. Coli But Were Afraid To Ask

We live in a fast food mentality society. Everythingduring slaughter and processing of the livestock.
must get to market faster to satisfy the risingTests must also become mandatory and the meat
demands of its ever growing population of hungrywithheld from market if it is found to be
consumers.The meat industry has successfullycontaminated!
stepped up to the plate and have delivered. But9. Prevent environment contamination of fields and
many meat producers are operating with very poortheir water sources.
sanitary methods. Resulting in E. Coli warnings,10. Avoid swallowing water from lakes, pools.How is
illnesses and sometimes death! Over 70,000 peopleE. Coli O157:H7 being spread?Meat is being
are infected with E. Coli O157:H7 and less than 61contaminated during the slaughter process and is
deaths attributed to E.Coli occur each year.What is E.accidentally being mixed in during the grounding of
Coli?E. Coli O157:H7 is just one of the hundreds ofthe meat. In cases of becoming infected by raw milk
strains of the bacterium known as Escherichia coli.it is because the udders of the cow or the milking
This particular strain has a powerful toxin that canequipment were not properly cleansed or
result in severe illness and in some cases even death.cleaned.Please note E. Coli O157:H7 can be found in
Most E. Coli outbreaks have been the result of eatingthe intestines of healthy animals including cattle,
undercooked contaminated ground beef.How dosheep, goats and deer. This bacteria can be found at
people become infected with E. Coli O157:H7?1. Eatingmost cattle farms and petting zoos. The fur, ground,
undercooked, contaminated ground beef.feeders and waterers, railings can be contaminated
2. Eating contaminated fresh leafy vegetables and orwith this bacteria. So it is absolutely imperative that
bean sprouts.you clean and wash yourself and your clothing should
3. Contamination by means of Person to Personyou visit a farm, petting zoo, animal exhibit or show. I
contact.suggest carrying antiseptic bacterial fighting wipes in
4. Drinking contaminated unpastuerized milk or juices.your car, purse, backpack or what have you. Young
5. Drinking contaminated waterchildren must be supervised and their hands must be
6. Swimming in contaminated water.kept away from their face and mouths.What are the
7. Eating unwashed fruits or vegetables wheresymptoms of E. Coli O157:H7?Generally people who
manure has been used as fertilizer or hasare exposed to E. Coli O157:H7 can become ill any
contaminated the water source used to irrigate thewhere from two to eight days after exposure. Some
fields. Manure is a primary source of E.Coliof the symptoms may include severe bloody diarrhea
O157:H7.How can we prevent E.Coland abdominal cramps, little or no fever. Not all of
i O157:H7 infection?1. Wash your hand prior to andthose infected will experience these symptoms. The
after handling food.illness ends within five to ten days.In children under
2. Be sure to ALWAYS thoroughly cook groundthe age of five and in the elderly the E. Coli O157:H7
beef.can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), where
3. Only drink pasteurized milk.the red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys
4. Wash fruits and vegetables well. Removes outsidesubsequently fail. (HUS) is a life threatening condition
leaves or peel and discard the skins or peelings.that is generally treated in an intensive care unit and
5. Only drink pasteurized juices.blood transfusions and or kidney dialysis may be
6. Thoroughly cook salamirequired.The way to diagnose E.Coli is is by testing
7. Develope good hygiene habits and wash handsstool sample for the bacterium. As far as treatment
often! Especially when interacting with babies orgoes, it is not recommended to receive antibiotics.
toddlers, because it is transmitted through theirMost patients recover without complications in five to
feces. Anyone with diarrheal illness should not swim,ten days. Anti diarrhea medications should not be
bath with others or prepare food.used as well.If you have a bloody stool see your Dr.
8. Since livestock are the primary source of E. Coliimmediately and ask to be tested for E.
changes must be made in the preparation before and