Escherichia Coli
By Amy
Background
E. Coli is a germ that usually is in everybody's digestive system, as well as animals. Usually, e.coli is not harmful to people, but some types of e.coli can harm them.
Who found it?
E. Coli was discovered in 1885, by Theodore Escherich, a German person who studied bacteria.
Theodore discovered E.coli when he was trying to find the disease that was spreading in children/infants.
Little Facts
E.coli is usually harmless. The only harmful type of it is O15H7.
He published a book called "Enterobacteria of infants and their relation to digestion physiology"
About his discovery on e.coli.
Theodore Escherich discovered e.coli in 1885, but it was officially named after him in 1919.
Where is E.Coli found?
E. Coli is usually harmless, and is in everybody's digestive system, as well as animals.
Sometimes e.coli is found in raw meat or milk, and also contaminated water.
Some people can get diarrhea from drinking/eating unclean water or food that has e.coli germs.
Children and older adults
Some children have gotten e.coli from visiting zoos or country fairs.
If some children and older adults get e.coli, they have more of a chance to have severe blood and kidney problems.
The doctors have to keep checking if they have enough blood and body fluids.
E.coli Symptoms
At first, e.coli can cause stomach cramps and make the stomach very weak. People have nausea, or vomit a lot. Also, they can have diarrhea, and a mild fever. Children and older people are more likely to get hurt.
When you have e.coli, it damages the lining of the small intestine.
E.coli can spread quickly from person to person, especially if they don't wash their hands. If one person has it, it is more likely that their family will get it too.
Treatments
Treatments
E.coli usually goes away after about 10 days.
E.Coli Test cont.
There is no treatments for e.coli, only rest and making sure you have fluids to keep you in good health.
For people who have serious e.coli problems, they will be taken in to the hospital. The hospital will give them IV fluids and blood transfusions.
The doctor will also check:
- Your temperature
- If you are unusually pale
- If your stomach is tender
- Your blood pressure
They will also check if you have bloody diarrhea, which is common to have when you are sick with e.coli.
E. coli Tests
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Sources
If you have e.coli and go to a hospital, the doctor will ask you a few questions, such as:
- Have you eaten recently at a restaurant?
- Do you have stomach cramps?
- Do you feel nausea, or vomit a lot?
- Do you feel tired or irritated recently?
- Have you fainted or feel really light-headed recently?
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/e-coli-infection-topic-overview
http://www.brighthub.com/science/genetics/articles/38516.aspx
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/68511.php
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/e-coli-infection-exams-and-tests
http://ecolisymptoms.org/
Other prevention methods
Other ways you can prevent getting e.coli is:
- Wash hands before you touch or eat food
- Don't eat contaminated food or drinks
- Keep food refrigerated or frozen
- Make sure that food is at a good temperature
- Avoid raw meat
- Refrigerate left overs
Prevention
You can't really prevent e.coli, but just stay away from unpasteurized milk, raw meat or dirty water.
Ways you can get e.coli:
- Working around livestock/farm
- Eating unpasteurized dairy food
- Eating raw meat
- Drinking contaminated water