E. Coli
There is nothing like a hamburger with all the trimmings, if you are hungry or in a cool, refreshing cup of juice on a hot
Day. But if the raw burgers or the juice is not pasteurized, it could cause a nasty E. coli infection.
Infections caused by Escherichia coli bacteria can cause severe, bloody diarrhea. Some cases can result in kidney failure or
other serious complications. Fortunately, most healthy children get the infection to recover on their own, without the need
for treatment.
How it spreads
While some strains of E. coli are harmless and naturally in the human gut, others, such as live E. coli O157: H7, are
infectious and spread through contaminated food or water, or from other infected people.
Most E. coli is transmitted if someone foods containing the bacteria eats. At-risk foods include undercooked
Minced meat (such as hamburgers) in manure from cows, sheep, goats, deer or grown products or washed in contaminated
Water and unpasteurized dairy or juice products.
The bacteria can also spread from person to person on unwashed hands and surfaces by swimming in contaminated water and
touching animals at farms or petting zoos.
Symptoms and complications
Some types of E. coli, a toxin (a toxic substance), which may damage the lining of the small intestine
leading to bad stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea (often with blood in it), and as a result of dehydration is common.
Symptoms usually begin 3-4 days after exposure and end within about a week. Infection is at least as infectious
As long as man has diarrhea and sometimes longer.
Most children recover completely, although some called developing serious kidney and blood problems hemolytic uremic syndrome
(HUS). Symptoms of HUS include decreased urination, a pale or swollen appearance, unexplained bruising, bleeding from the
Nose or gums, fatigue, and seizures. HUS can be life threatening and requires treatment in a hospital.
Treatment
A physician might be a stool sample to detect the presence of E. coli bacteria. Blood tests may be used to check
complications.
Antibiotics have not been found to be helpful in the treatment of infections caused by E. coli O157: H7and may be, in fact,
harmful. Similarly, increase anti-diarrheal drugs, the risk of complications and should not be used.
Children with an E. coli infection should rest as much as possible and drink plenty to avoid dehydration. Those who
are dehydrated may need to be hospitalized to receive intravenous fluids, and those with HUS may require dialysis for kidney failure
and / or blood transfusions.
While recovering from an infection, the child may return to normal activities after two stool cultures free from bacteria.
Refrain from letting children use swimming pools or water slides up to 2 weeks after symptoms have gone away.
Prevention
E. coli outbreaks have brought about a variety of foods, such as fresh spinach, hamburgers, ground beef, Bologna in touch
Hazelnuts, packaged cheese, lettuce and prepackaged cookie dough.
Be on the safe preparation of food alert can go a long way toward protecting your family from E. coli infections:
Cook meat thoroughly until a temperature of at least 160 ° F/70 ° C is reached at its thickest point.
Clean everything that comes in contact with raw meat.
Choose pasteurized juices and milk products.
Raw and clean before eating.
Teach your kids the importance of regular, thorough hand washing, especially after using the toilet, touching
Animals or playing outside, and before eating or preparing food. You should avoid swallowing water while swimming.
When to call the doctor
Call your doctor if your child has any symptoms of E. coli infection, especially stomach pain or persistent, severe,
or bloody diarrhea.
Call immediately if your child shows signs of dehydration, such as decreased urination. Also call immediately if your
Child signs of hemolytic uremic syndrome, especially after a recent gastrointestinal disease.