HerbsMed.com
Training
An Alternative Medicine Network
News | Herbs | Acupuncture | Massage | Chinese diet | More… | Common illness | Clinics | Consult specialists
|
|
|
HerbsMed.com
Training |
|
|
An Alternative Medicine Network |
|||
|
News | Herbs | Acupuncture | Massage | Chinese diet | More… | Common illness | Clinics | Consult specialists |
|||
| Common Illness
Amebiasis |
E. coli 0157:H7 Infection What is E.coli 0157:H7 infection? E. coli is a bacteria that normally lives in the intestines of humans and animals. Although most strains of this bacteria are harmless, one particular strain known as E. coli 0157:H7 infection is known to produce a toxin that can cause serious illness. Who gets E. coli 0157:H7 infection ? Anyone of any age can become infected with E. coli 0157:H7, but it appears children are more likely to develop serious complications. How does one get infected with E. coli 0157:H7? The infection is acquired by eating food containing the bacteria. The bacteria live in the intestine of some healthy cattle, and contamination of the meat may occur in the slaughtering process. Eating meat that is rare or inadequately cooked is the most common way of getting the infection. Person-to-person transmission can occur if infected persons do not wash their hands after using the toilet. What are the symptoms of E. coli 0157:H7 infection?
Mild Diarrhea How soon after the exposure do symptoms appear? The symptoms usually appear about three days after exposure, with a range of one to nine days. How is infection with E. coli 0157:H7 diagnosed? Infection with E. coli 0157:H7 can only be diagnosed by a special stool culture that is not performed in many laboratories. Physicians can specifically request a culture for this bacteria, and the specimen will be sent to a laboratory that can perform this test. What is the treatment for infection with E. coli 0157:H7? Most persons recover without antibiotics or other specific treatment in five to ten days. The usefulness of antibiotic treatment is unproven, and anti-diarrheal medication should be avoided. As with all types of diarrhea, it is important to avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids, and keep your doctor informed of your symptoms. What complications can result from infection with E. coli 0157:H7? In some persons, particularly children under five years of age, the infection can cause a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This is a serious disease in which red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys fail. Transfusions of blood or blood clotting factors as well as kidney dialysis may be necessary. A prolonged hospital stay is often required. Fortunately, most people with HUS recover completely, but it can be fatal. How can infection with E. coli 0157:H7 be prevented? Do not eat undercooked hamburger or other ground beef products. Cook all ground beef and hamburger thoroughly. Make sure the cooked meat is brown throughout (not pink), and the juices run clear. Drink only pasteurized milk and milk products. Make sure infected persons, especially children, wash their hands carefully with soap after using the toilet to reduce the risk of spreading the disease. What is the meaning of the numbers and letter that appear after the name E. coli? The 0157 and H7 refer to the laboratory designation that differentiates this harmful strain of E. coli from harmless strains.-
|
| News | Herbs | Acupuncture | Massage | Chinese diet | More… | Common illness | Clinics | Consult specialists |
|
Website by Elspeth
& Jason
Yang |