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THE Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium naturally present in the intestine and urinary tract, but it can also be acquired through the consumption of contaminated food, which can lead to the appearance of symptoms characteristic of intestinal infection, such as severe diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, vomiting and dehydration, for example. example.
Symptoms of infection by E. coli they appear a few hours after the contamination and anyone can be contaminated, however it is more common for this bacteria to develop severely in children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems. To avoid contamination by Escherichia coli it is important to take some precautions, such as:
1. Always wash your hands
It is important to wash your hands with soap and water, also rubbing between your fingers after using the bathroom, before cooking food and after changing the baby's diaper with diarrhea, for example. Thus, although it is not possible to check traces of feces in the hands, they are always properly cleaned.
Watch the following video and see how to wash your hands properly:
2. Pay attention to food hygiene
The bacterium E. coli it can be present in the intestine of animals such as oxen, cows, sheep and goats, and for this reason the milk and meat of these animals must be cooked before their consumption, in addition to it being important to also wash your hands after handling these foods. All milk that is bought in the markets is already pasteurized, being safe for consumption, but one can be wary of milk taken directly from the cow because it may be contaminated.
3. Always wash the pot after diarrhea
Always after the person who has gastroenteritis to evacuate the toilet, it should be washed with water, chlorine or specific cleaning products for the bathroom containing chlorine in its composition. Thus the bacteria is eliminated and there is less risk of contamination from other people
4. Avoid sharing personal items
The main form of contamination is fecal-oral contact, so the person who is infected with E. coli you must separate your glass, plate, cutlery and towels so that there is no risk of transmitting the bacteria to other people.
5. Soak fruits and vegetables
Before consuming fruits with peel, lettuce and tomatoes, for example, they should be dipped in a basin with water and sodium hypochlorite or bleach for about 15 minutes, as this way it is possible to eliminate not only the Escherichia coli, but also other microorganisms that may be present in the food.
6. Drinking water
Boiled or filtered water is suitable for drinking, but it is not recommended to drink water from a well, river, stream or waterfall without first boiling it for 5 minutes, as they may be contaminated by bacteria.
7. Wear gloves when caring for animals
Those who work on farms or farms caring for livestock should wear gloves when in contact with the feces of these animals, as they have a higher risk of infection by Escherichia coli.
Symptoms of infection by E. coli
The first symptoms of being contaminated by the bacteria are nausea and malaise, however in a few hours other signs and symptoms may appear such as intense vomiting and diarrhea, which may contain mucus or blood, for example. In some cases there may also be a low fever. Learn how to identify the symptoms of E. coli infection.
How is the treatment
Treatment of intestinal infection caused by E. coli lasts an average of 7 to 10 days and should be indicated by the doctor, and the use of paracetamol and antibiotics may be recommended. During treatment it is important to eat easily digestible foods such as vegetable soup, mashed potatoes, carrots or pumpkin, with shredded cooked chicken and a little olive oil.
Hydration is very important and it is recommended to drink water, poo water or saline, especially after an episode of diarrhea or vomiting. Medicines should not be used to trap the intestine, because the bacteria must be eliminated through the feces.