Issue 1 “Health”

1. SHE Issue 1 “Health” Summer Diseases E.Coli Bacteria

2. With the beginning of the summer season many bacteria become active that's why you may have noticed that many people got sick in this time of the year… • So, what is the E.Coli ???

3. What Is the E.coli ?? • E. coli is a common type of bacteria that can get into food, like beef and vegetables. • E. coli is short for Escherichia coli -- bacteria that cause severe cramps and diarrhea. It is a leading cause of bloody diarrhea. • The symptoms are worse in children and older people, and especially in people who have another illness. • E. coli infection is more common during the summer months.

4. E. coli normally lives inside your intestines, where it helps your body break down and digest the food you eat. • Unfortunately, certain types (called strains) of E. coli can get from the intestines into the blood. This is a rare illness, but it can cause a very serious infection. • But what are the symptoms and how can we avoid it ???

5. E.coli Infection Symptoms • Someone who has E. coliinfection may have these symptoms: • Bad stomach cramps and belly pain. • Vomiting , Fever , Weakness , Pale Skin. • Diarrhea, sometimes with blood in it. • Passing only small amounts of urine.

6. What causes an E. coli infection? E. coli in food • E. coli can get into meat during processing. If the infected meat is not cooked to 160°F (71°C), the bacteria can survive and infect you when you eat the meat. • Any food that has been in contact with raw meat can also become infected.

7. Raw milkordairy products. Check the labels on dairy products to make sure they contain the word "pasteurized." This means the food has been heated to destroy bacteria. • Raw fruitsandvegetables,such as lettuce, alfalfa sprouts, cucumber or unpasteurized apple cider or other unpasteurized juices that have come in contact with infected animal feces.

8. E. coli in water • People can become infected when a contaminated city or town water supply has not been properly treated with chlorine or when people accidentally swallow contaminated water while swimming in a lake, pool or irrigation canal.

9. E. coli from person-to-person contact • The bacteria can also spread from one person to another, usually when an infected person does not wash his or her hands well after a bowel movement. E. coli can spread from an infected person's hands to other people or to objects.

10. How is the E.Coli treated? • If someone has symptoms of E. coli poisoning, the doctor will run some blood tests and take a sample of the person's stool. • The blood and stool can be checked to see if a harmful strain of E. coli is present. Even though diarrhea is one of the main symptoms, the person shouldn't take anti-diarrhea medicines because they can slow down recovery time. • Some people recover at home, while others need to be in the hospital. In some cases, E. coli poisoning can cause life-threatening kidney problems.

11. How can I keep from getting E. coli infection? • For your protection, follow these rules: • Handle and Cook meat in a safe way. • When you're at a restaurant, order your burger well done. Eat it only if it's brown, not pink, on the inside.

12. WASHYOUR HANDSthoroughly after using the bathroom or changing diapers and before preparing or eating food. • WASH YOUR HANDSafter contact with animals or their environments (at farms, petting zoos, fairs, even your own backyard). • Don't taste small bites of raw ground beef while you're cooking.

13. Don'tdrink raw milk. • Keep food refrigerated or frozen. • Keep hot food hot and cold food cold.

14. Refrigerate leftovers right away or throw them away. • Don't swallow lake, ocean or pool water , it can carry the E. coli bacteria. • Wash fruits and vegetables very well with hot water and soap if available.

16. The Quality Connection