- 1. Always wash your hands
- 2. Only eat clean food
- 3. Always wash the pot after diarrhea
- 4. Have separate personal effects
- 5. Raw food should be soaked
- 6. Don't eat rare meat
- 7. Only drinking water
- 8. Wear gloves when caring for animals
- What are the symptoms of E. Coli
- How is the treatment
Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) is a bacterium present in the intestine or that can be acquired through the consumption of contaminated food and that can lead to the appearance of symptoms characteristic of intestinal infection, such as severe diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, vomiting and dehydration, for example.
Symptoms of E. coli infection appear a few hours after contamination and the person can easily transmit this bacterium to others. Thus, to avoid transmission from one person to another, 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. That way, 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. Only eat clean food
The E. Coli bacteria is present in the intestines of animals such as oxen, cows, sheep and goats, and therefore the milk and meat of these animals must be cooked before consumption. 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 does not contaminate the next user.
4. Have separate personal effects
The main form of contamination is fecal-oral contact, so the sick person should separate his glass, plate, cutlery and towels because if they become contaminated, they will not reach others.
5. Raw food should be soaked
Before consuming fruits with peel, lettuce and tomatoes, for example, they should be dipped in a basin with water and sodium hypochlorite or bleach. The food should be soaked in this solution for 15 minutes, with no need to wash it afterwards.
6. Don't eat rare meat
Beef may be contaminated and it is therefore important not to eat rare meat.
7. Only 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.
8. Wear gloves when caring for animals
Whoever works in farms or farms taking care of cattle, should wear gloves when in contact with the feces of these animals.
Anyone can be infected, but it is more common for this bacterium to develop severely in children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems.
What are the symptoms of E. Coli
The first symptoms of being contaminated by the bacteria are nausea and malaise, in a few hours intense vomiting and diarrhea appear, which may contain mucus or blood, for example. In some cases there is a low fever.
Symptoms can take anywhere from a few hours to 10 days to manifest, which is called an incubation period. As soon as vomiting and diarrhea are present, other people can be infected.
How is the treatment
The treatment of intestinal infection caused by E. Coli lasts an average of 7 to 10 days. The indicated remedies are Paracetamol to lower the fever and antibiotics prescribed by the doctor. During treatment it is important to eat easily digestible foods such as vegetable soup, mashed potatoes, carrots or pumpkin, with shredded 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.
