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What is Escherichia coli's effect on humans?
Most strains of E. coli are not harmful but are part of the healthful bacterial flora in the human gut. However, some types can cause illness in humans, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and sometimes vomiting.
What is E. coli's function?
E. coli is a type of bacteria that normally lives inside our intestines, where it helps the body break down and digest the food we eat.
What is the advantage of presence of E. coli in human intestine?
Escherichia coli can be commonly found in lower intestines of human and mammals. When E. coli locates in human large intestines, it can help digestion processes, food breakdown and absorption, and vitamin K production.
How is the Escherichia coli that is part of your normal flora beneficial to you?
Escherichia coli (or simply E. coli) is one of the many groups of bacteria that live in the intestines of healthy humans and most warm-blooded animals. E. coli bacteria help maintain the balance of normal intestinal flora (bacteria) against harmful bacteria and synthesize or produce some vitamins.
Overview
Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria normally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. Most types of E. coli are harmless or cause relatively brief diarrhea. But a few strains, such as E. coliO157:H7, can cause severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting. You may be exposed to E. coli from contaminated water or food — especially...
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Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of E. coliO157:H7 infection usually begin three or four days after exposure to the bacteria. But you may become ill as soon as one day after exposure to more than a week later. Signs and symptoms include: 1. Diarrhea, which may range from mild and watery to severe and bloody 2. Stomach cramping, pain or tenderness 3. Nausea and vomiting, in some people
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Causes
Only a few strains of E. coli trigger diarrhea. The E. coli O157:H7 strain belongs to a group of E. coli that produces a powerful toxin that damages the lining of the small intestine. This can cause bloody diarrhea. You develop an E. coliinfection when you ingest this strain of bacteria. Unlike many other disease-causing bacteria, E. coli can cause an infection even if you ingest only smal…
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Risk Factors
Complications
Prevention
No vaccine or medication can protect you from E. coli-based illness, though researchers are investigating potential vaccines. To reduce your chance of being exposed to E. coli, avoid swallowing water from lakes or pools, wash your hands often, avoid risky foods, and watch out for cross-contamination.
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Symptoms
People infected with pathogenic E. colican start to notice symptoms anywhere from a few days after consuming contaminated food or as much as nine days later. Generally, the symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. The severity or presence of certain symptoms may depend on the type of pathogenic E. colicausin...
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At-Risk Groups
People of any age can become infected with pathogenic E. coli. Children under the age of 5 years, adults older than 65, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe illness as a result of an E. coliinfection. However, even healthy older children and young adults can become seriously ill.
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Foods Linked to U.S. Outbreaks of E. Coli?
Different types of E. coli tend to contaminate different types of foods and water. Previous U.S. outbreaks of pathogenic E. colihave included leafy greens, sprouts, raw milk and cheeses, and raw beef and poultry. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), including E. coliO157:H7, can be particularly dangerous. The primary sources of STEC outbreaks are raw or undercooked ground …
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Preventing Foodborne Illness at Home
Consumers should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures, which include the following: 1. Wash handswith warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw foods. 2. Wash the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, cutting boards, countertops, and utensils that may have contacted contaminated foods; then sanitize them with …
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Advice For Restaurants and Retailers
If there is an E. colioutbreak, retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators should not sell or serve any implicated or recalled foods – including those that may have been frozen and stored during a suspected outbreak. If you cannot determine the source of your food, do not sell or serve it. Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators should always take steps to a…
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