Disease outbreak that killed several people in Germany should open our eyes to more careful against bacteria E.coli (EHEC). Here are some frequently asked questions about the bacteria, to know hopefully we can prevent the bacteria infecting the people we love.
What is E. coli and where it comes from?
E. coli is a type of fecal coliform bacteria commonly found in intestines of animals and humans. E. coli is short for Escherichia coli. E-coli bacteria in water from pollution or contamination from animal and human feces. Dirt can contain many types of organisms that cause disease.
What are fecal coliforms?
Fecal coliforms are bacteria associated with human or animal waste. They usually live in the intestines of humans or animals, and their presence in drinking water is a strong indication that the water has been contaminated by human waste or animal waste.
How coli or fecal coliforms into the water or food?
E. coli comes from human and animal waste. During rain, water carrying wastes from animal and human feces seep into the ground or flowing in the source water. E. coli can get into the creeks, lakes, or groundwater. If the source of ground water and these waters are used as sources of drinking water and not through the water treatment process that both the E. coli may very well end up in drinking water. While the E. coli found in food could be due to storage that is not clean.
What are the health effects of E. coli O157: H7?
E. Coli O157: H7 is one of hundreds of strains of the bacterium E. coli. Although most strains are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals, this strain produces a powerful toxin and can cause severe illness. Infection often causes severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps, should be noted that these symptoms are common to various diseases, and can be caused by sources other than drinking water and contaminated food.
In some people, especially children under 5 years old and the elderly, the infection can also cause a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome, in which red blood cells are destroyed and kidney failure. About 2% -7% of infections lead to this complication. In the United States, hemolytic uremic syndrome is the leading cause of acute renal failure in children, and most cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by E. coli O157: H7. Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a life-threatening condition usually treated in intensive care unit. Blood transfusions and kidney dialysis are often required. With intensive treatment, the death rate for hemolytic uremic syndrome is 3% -5%.
How long does it take for symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome occurs because of infection of E. coli O157: H7?
Symptoms usually appear within 2 to 4 days but could take up to 8 days. Most people recover without antibiotics or other specific treatment in 5-10 days. There is no evidence that antibiotics improve the course of the disease, and it is estimated that treatment with some antibiotics can trigger kidney complications. Antidiarrheal agents, such as loperamide (Imodium), should also be avoided.
What should I do if I have any of the above symptoms?
Consult with your doctor. Infections due to E. coli O157: H7 is diagnosed by detecting the bacterium in the stool. Most laboratories do not test E. coli O157: H7 if not asked for, so it's important to ask for stool specimens to be tested on sorbitol-MacConkey (SMAC). We recommend that people who suddenly have diarrhea with blood should test for E. coli O157: H7.
Is there a group of people who are at greater risk to get one of the symptoms?
Children under the age of five, the elderly, and people whose health was weakened (ie, people who have long-term illnesses such as cancer or AIDS) are at greater risk.
What should the people who are at greater risk of doing? Are there any additional precautions they should take?
The people who are at greater risk should consult with a physician or health care provider and follow the instructions provided.
How do I know if drinking water and food is safe?
If you get drinking water and food from the market, then you should obtain enough information about drinking water and food. Are water and food has been qualified as water and food that can be drunk directly. You also can find out by testing it in laboratory water, or the department of health.
How to protect water and food from the dangers of E. coli?
Water contaminated with E. coli can direduse using chlorine, ultra-violet light, or ozone, all of which act to kill or deactivate E. coli. The most common is the Ultra-Violet System to sterilize and ensure that all bacterial contamination is not active. Must be ensured that the ultra-violet system to work, because there are times when ultra-violet lamp which has dropped out undetected. Eat cooked food and EPA recommends that you boil your drinking water, if you're unsure about its safety.
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