While E. coli outbreaks are not as common as those involving other bacteria such as salmonella, they tend to grab headlines. That’s because E. coli infections are more likely to be lethal and because they strike so many children, who have weaker immune systems, experts say.
There are many different strains of E. coli. The one that causes serious sickness is the O157:H7 strain. Infection from this type of E. coli can lead to kidney failure, even death. Ultimately it’s not the bacteria themselves wreaking havoc, but rather, a toxin produced by the bacteria. ";
health_ecoli_intro[i++] = new Array("","E. coli in your food","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
health_ecoli_intro[i++] = new Array("","How does it get there?","E. coli can end up in fresh produce at the source, such as a spinach field.
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health_ecoli_intro[i-1].body = "Q: How does it get there?
A: The bacteria originate in the intestines of certain animals, such as cows. Meat can be contaminated by manure that splashes onto carcasses during the slaughtering process. Experts say it’s almost impossible to prevent that from happening.
The bacteria can end up in fresh produce when vegetables and fruits are irrigated or washed with water carrying E. coli, or if they come into contact with manure – as scientists suspect in the recent spinach outbreak – when animals are allowed to graze near crops."; health_ecoli_intro[i++] = new Array("","What foods do we find it in?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); health_ecoli_intro[i-1].body = "Q: What foods do we find it in?
A: The dangerous type of E. coli has been found in beef, fruit juices, milk and fresh vegetables and fruits. It can also be found in water that has been contaminated by sewage."; health_ecoli_intro[i++] = new Array("","How can the food supply be protected?","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070322/ecoliApp_meatInspection.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Charlie Riedel", "AP", "102", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); health_ecoli_intro[i-1].body = "Q: How can the food supply be protected?
A: Beef can be tested for E. coli contamination at slaughterhouses. Fruits and vegetables can be protected by keeping animals away from fields and by making sure that irrigation water is not contaminated.
Government organizations are currently looking into the possibility of irradiating food to kill off bacteria. Also, the FDA recently issued voluntary guidelines to fruit and vegetable processors suggesting changes that would bring them more in line with the rules mandated for the meat industry. The changes would focus attention on vulnerable links in the food processing chain.
Critics say that while these new guidelines might help if they were followed, the changes aren’t mandatory, which may mean nothing will change.
";
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health_ecoli_intro[i++] = new Array("","How do people get it?","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070322/ecoliApp_hamburgers.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Donna Mcwilliam", "AP", "92", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
health_ecoli_intro[i-1].body = "Q: How do people become infected?
A: Most often people develop E. coli infections from consuming contaminated food or beverages. There have also been cases in which people became infected after visiting a petting zoo or swimming in sewage-contaminated water. The bacteria can also be passed from person to person when proper hygiene — such as hand washing — isn’t practiced.
In 2005, approximately one person per 100,000 was infected with E. coli."; health_ecoli_intro[i++] = new Array("","What are the symptoms?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); health_ecoli_intro[i-1].body = "Q: What are the symptoms?
A: Usually, an E. coli O157:H7 infection leads to severe, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramping. But infected people occasionally experience neither diarrhea nor cramping. Most often there is no fever. Some people — generally the very young or old, because of their weaker immune systems — develop a serious complication in which the red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys fail."; health_ecoli_intro[i++] = new Array("","How long before symptoms show?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); health_ecoli_intro[i-1].body = "Q: How long does it take for symptoms to appear after contaminated food is eaten?
A: Symptoms generally show up within three to four days after consumption of contaminated food. But it can take as long as a week to 10 days after exposure for symptoms to appear.
";
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health_ecoli_intro[i-1].body = "Q: Is there a treatment?
A: There is no real treatment for the infection. Antibiotics can actually make the illness worse because they can cause large amounts of the dangerous toxin to be released all at once.
For many people, becoming infected means just having to ride it out. Those who end up in the hospital may receive supportive care — such as rehydration — to help in recovery. "; health_ecoli_intro[i++] = new Array("","Preventing infection","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); health_ecoli_intro[i++] = new Array("","How can I prevent infection?","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070322/ecoliApp_meatGrill.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Marianna Day Massey", "Zuma Press", "99", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); health_ecoli_intro[i-1].body = "Q: How can I prevent an E. coli infection?
A: While it’s always good to wash fresh vegetables to remove dirt and debris, this won’t guarantee that your food will be free of the bacteria. That’s because E. coli is sticky and isn’t easily washed off, and even tiny amounts can make you sick.
The best preventive measure is to cook all foods to temperatures of 155 to 160 F and to avoid unpasteurized milk, juice and cider."; // END editorial data