Tag Archives: E-coli

E. coli

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E. coli is a group of bacteria that can cause infections in your stomach, urinary tract, and other body parts. E. coli bacteria normally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals without hurting them. But some strains can make you sick with watery diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli is most likely to cause severe illness.

Common types of E. coli infection include gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections. Other types of E. coli infections include:

  • Bloodstream infections
  • Prostatitis (prostate infection)
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Gallbladder infection
  • Wound infections

Pneumonia and meningitis are rare cases of E. coli infections.

Some symptoms of E. coli gastroenteritis include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pains and cramps
  • Loss of appetite
  • Low fever
  • Nausea and vomiting

Some symptoms of E. coli in your urinary tract include:

  • Abdominal or pelvic pain
  • Pain or burning sensation when you pee
  • An urgent need to pee frequently
  • Cloudy foul-smelling pee

Unlike many other disease-causing bacteria, E. coli can cause an infection even if you ingest only small amounts. Some causes of E. coli infections include:

  • Eating contaminated food
  • Drinking contaminated water
  • Contact with someone infected by E. coli
  • Touching poop or contaminated surfaces
  • Not wiping properly after going to the bathroom

E. coli can affect anyone who is exposed to the bacteria. Some people are more likely to develop problems than others including:

  • Newborns and young children
  • People over the age of 65
  • People with weakened immune systems
  • People with diabetes
  • People with ulcerative colitis

E. coli sometimes causes life-threatening complications, including:

  • Hemolytic uremic syndrome
  • Sepsis
  • Malnutrition

E. coli is diagnosed based on the symptoms. Your healthcare provider will perform specific tests for E. coli, including:

  • Stool test
  • Urinalysis or urine culture
  • Blood culture
  • Spinal tap or lumbar puncture

You often don’t need to treat E. coli infections that cause digestive symptoms. But if you have another type of E. coli infection like a UTI, meningitis, sepsis, or severe symptoms, you will be treated with antibiotics.

The most important thing you can do to protect against E. coli infections is to wash your hands with warm water and soap:

  • Before and after handling raw meat and poultry
  • Before and after cooking raw meat and poultry
  • After using the restroom, changing diapers, or contact with animals

You can also reduce your risk of an E. coli infection by following these safe food preparation procedures:

  • Don’t drink unpasteurized milk or ciders
  • Rinse all raw fruits and vegetables under running water before eating them
  • Don’t defrost frozen meat unwrapped on the counter
  • Don’t rinse meat before cooking
  • Use a plastic, silicone, or ceramic cutting board to cut raw meat
  • Use different surfaces for prepping different types of food
  • Cook all meat to a safe temperature before eating
  • Refrigerate leftovers right away

If you are experiencing signs and symptoms of E. coli and would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

 

 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Tips To Make Sure the Ice in Your Freezer is Clean

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There is nothing more refreshing on a warm summer day than an ice-filled cold beverage, but before you host your next summer gathering, make sure that the ice you serve is clean and free of harmful bacteria.

While ice is rarely considered to be the source of trouble, there are good reasons to take a second look at how ice is dispensed in your own home.  You may think most bacteria wouldn’t survive the icy conditions of a freezer. But they can. Bacteria and viruses such as listeria, E-coli and salmonella can live in freezing temperatures, meaning they may be alive in your ice cubes. With proper precautions however, you can eliminate the risk of these contaminants existing in the ice you serve.

Here are some tips:

  • Change Your Filter – Most ice makers in freezers use a secondary water filter to stop particles from contaminating the ice. To keep your ice clean, change the freezer’s water filter as frequently as the manufacturer recommends, about every six months.
  • Regular Cleaning – Don’t forget to defrost and deep clean your freezer at least once a year. As a rule of thumb, if the ice buildup in your freezer is a quarter-inch or thicker, then it’s time to defrost and clean it.
  • Use Ice Regularly – The slight melting and refreezing of cubes can allow pathogens to take hold. To avoid this, remove the ice storage bin from the freezer and dump any clumps into the sink. Since inactivity causes ice clumps to form, the easiest solution is to use the ice maker more frequently.
  • Organize Your Freezer – Make sure frozen foods are properly sealed or double-wrapped and avoid having them come into direct contact with ice in trays or bins. Also label all food with a use-by date and remove all expired foods from your freezer.
  • Don’t Use Your Hands – While all of the above tips are useful, the fact is that the most common way to spread germs is by placing unwashed hands in an ice container. Instead of using your hands, use a designated scooper or other tool to handle ice.

It is important to note that while the existence of contaminants in your ice might be disturbing to learn, the health risks associated with it is fairly minimal to the average immune system and the transmission of viruses are rare. Those more at risk are pregnant women, children, and people with a compromised immune system.

Regardless, it is always a good idea to take the proper precautions to reduce your chances of getting yourself or your guests sick.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.