Escherichia coli Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Escherichia coli or E. coli is a type of bacteria that can be found in the digestive tract of humans and animals. Generally, these bacteria are not harmful to health and help create a healthy digestive tract.
However, several types of E. coli bacteria also cause disease (pathogens). For example, causing diarrhea, urinary tract infections (UTI), respiratory problems, and several other disorders.
Symptoms
Here are some symptoms that you are infected with E.coli bacteria:
In cases of severe infection, symptoms may be found:
- dehydration
- bloody BAK
- decreased amount of urine
- pale skin or bruising
Reason
There are several types of pathogenic E.coli bacteria :
1. Shiga Toxin producing E. coli (STEC)
2. Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)
3. Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC)
4. Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC)
5. Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)
6. Diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC)
These types of pathogenic bacteria can infect you through several events, such as:
- Poor food handling. Examples are exposure to bacteria through dirty hands due to not washing hands before and after processing food, through contaminated cutlery, food stored at the wrong temperature, food cooked at the wrong temperature, raw food such as seafood, and others.
- Food processing. This can occur for example in poultry and beef. The two types of meat that are most often consumed by the public can be contaminated with bacteria from the digestive tract of the animal itself. Poor management of raw meat and food processing before cooking can infect you.
- Water contamination. Improper water sanitation treatment can contaminate water sources. When you use the water, for example for drinking or swimming, you can become infected.
- Between humans. Failing to wash your hands thoroughly after defecating can cause bacteria to be found on your hands. A person can spread this bacteria when they touch other people or food.
- Exposed to animals. Those who frequently come into contact with animals either as a profession or as a hobby need to pay attention to the habit of washing their hands properly. Hands must be perfectly clean to minimize the risk of exposure to and spread of bacteria.
Diagnosis
To find out whether someone has E.coli bacteria or not in their body, complete information is needed from that person. In addition, it is also necessary to have a thorough physical examination to help determine the diagnosis.
Laboratory tests of body samples (eg feces) to assess the presence of pathogenic E. coli can also be performed.
Treatment
Treatment for people who have E. coli bacteria in their bodies is usually directed at preventing fluid deficiency due to dehydration. Most people do not require hospitalization when they have this disorder. Drinking lots of fluids is highly recommended for those with diarrhea.
Antibiotics are generally not recommended. The use of anti-diarrheal drugs is also not recommended because it prolongs exposure to poisons in the digestive tract.
Prevention
Exposure to E. coli bacteria can be prevented in several ways, such as:
- Washing hands. Try to always wash your hands well before and after processing food and before and after contact with feces (for example after changing diapers or defecating) or with animals. Likewise before and after eating.
- Keeping the house clean. Always use protective gloves when cleaning the house. Clean the house with sufficient cleaning fluid or hot water; also wash your clothes using hot water and detergent.
- Cook food to the right temperature. Cook poultry meat at least at 74 0 C; ground beef and eggs at least 71 0 C; cuts of beef, pork, and seafood at least 63 0 C
- Avoid consumption of raw or unpasteurized milk