E. coli: What is it, symptoms and how to prevent it

(NewsNation) — One of the most common types of food poisoning is the Escherichia coli bacteria, commonly known as E. coli (pronounced ee KOH-leye). We all have a bit of it in our systems. Most are harmless or might cause a bit of mild diarrhea and vomiting. Other strains, however, are not so benign.

Here’s what you need to know about where E. coli comes from, how it spreads, how it feels, what to do about it and how to prevent it.

How can you get E. Coli?

The danger of E. coli can come at any point in the process from when an animal or a plant is growing to being presented on your dinner plate. The bacteria can come from:

Meat coming into contact with that animal’s intestines during processing.
Soft cheeses made from raw milk.
Human waste in water used in growing or shipping foods.
Unsafe handling during transport or storage.
Unsafe handling or preparation at stores, restaurants or homes.
Personal contact (wash your hands!).

How can you get E. Coli?

You could potentially get E. coli if:

The cook didn’t wash their hands well.
You use unclean knives, cutting boards and other utensils.
Foods with dairy or mayonnaise are not kept cold.
Raw fruits and vegetables are not washed well.
Meat or eggs are undercooked.
Water from a well or stream is untreated.

Who is most likely to get E. Coli?

According to the Mayo Clinic, young children and older adults are most likely to develop problems when coming into contact with E. Coli.

Others at higher risk are people with weakened immune symptoms from AIDS, cancer drugs or organ transplant rejection medication.

The time of year can matter, too. Most U.S. cases happen from June to September.

People taking medications to lower stomach acids can also get sick.

What are the symptoms of E. Coli? Is E. coli deadly?

E. coli produces a powerful toxin that infects the lining of the small intestine, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It takes only a small amount to cause infection.
The symptoms of E. Coli are not pretty: fatigue, slight fever, cramps, pain, tenderness, nausea, vomiting and yes, diarrhea.
Most symptoms are mild, but some can be severe.
A small number of people with E. coli can develop a serious condition called hemolytic uraemic syndrome, or HUS. This could cause a life-threatening form of kidney failure according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

If I get E. coli, what do I do?

Mount Sinai advises those with an E. coli infection to stay at home and rest. Get lots of rest. That will be the easy part since you won’t feel like doing much, and you’ll be spending plenty of time in the bathroom.
Monitor your symptoms. If the diarrhea doesn’t stop, call your doctor.

Can I prevent E. coli?

There is no vaccine or medication to prevent it. Not yet, anyway. Researchers are working on potential vaccines.
Good hygiene is the best prevention.
Don’t drink from lakes or pools.
University of California, Davis advises to watch out for cross-contamination, like putting cooked food on the board used to cut raw food.
Avoid risky foods such as rare burgers and undercooked eggs.
Wash your hands.

More on E. coli

Preventing E. coli can also help prevent two other common types of food poisoning. Washing your fruits and vegetables and being careful with prepared food items like deli meats can keep you clear of listeria.

And the ultimate “spoiler”: no raw cookie dough or raw eggs! Raw flour can contain E. coli, and those raw eggs can be home to salmonella.