About Escherichia coli Infection | E. coli infection | CDC

E. coli are germs called bacteria. They are found in many places, including in the environment, foods, water, and the intestines of people and animals.

Most E. coli are harmless and are part of a healthy intestinal tract. E. coli help us digest food, produce vitamins, and protect us from harmful germs.

But some E. coli can make people sick with diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sepsis, and other illnesses. These dangerous types of E. coli are:

• STEC: Shiga toxin-producing E. coli
• ETEC: Enterotoxigenic E. coli
• EPEC: Enteropathogenic E. coli
• EIEC: Enteroinvasive E. coli
• EAEC: Enteroaggregative E. coli
• DAEC: Diffusely adherent E. coli

People can get infected after swallowing E. coli.

This can happen through contaminated food or water or contact with animals, environments, or other people.

Some people are more likely to get infected.

Groups of people who are at increased risk for E. coli infection include:

• Children younger than 5
• Adults 65 and older
• People with weakened immune systems
• International travelers

E. coli infection can be serious.

Infection with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) can lead to a serious health condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS can lead to kidney failure, permanent health problems, and even death.

E. coli infection can be prevented.

The good news is that you can take steps to help keep yourself and your family safe.

• Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and other people from getting sick
• Only use safe drinking water (don't swallow water when you go swimming)
• make sure your milk is safe to drink 

 

Preventing E-Coli: Tips for Cleanliness and Health

Sanitation and Hygiene

• Teaching children to wash hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and before meals is crucial for preventing E-Coli transmission.
• Proper cleaning and sanitization of surfaces, especially where raw meat is handled, are essential steps in reducing the risk of contamination.
• Wash the shelves and the inside walls of the refrigerator at least once a month. If anything spills, especially meat juice, immediately clean up the spill with soap and warm water, then sanitize it. 

Cooking Safety

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure all meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This will kill all E-Coli bacteria.
• Reheat leftovers to 165 degrees Fahrenheit to eliminate any potential bacterial growth.
• It is also important to store perishable items below 41 degrees Fahrenheit

Sources of E-Coli

• E-Coli is commonly found in meat and raw dairy products but can also be present on raw vegetables and other foods.
• Thoroughly washing and handling food can help minimize the risk of contamination.

Post-Food Preparation Sanitation

• It is very important to clean the surface you prepare food on, both before and after, particularly the cutting board or anywhere you cut and prep raw meat.
• After preparing food, follow a two-step cleaning process: first, use dish soap to remove grease and grime, then sanitize surfaces using a sanitizer or hot water (165 degrees Fahrenheit or higher). A spray bottle with sanitizer works the best.

Immune Boosters

• Incorporate natural immune boosters into your child's diet, such as daily probiotics or a spoonful of sauerkraut juice.
• Garlic water, vitamin C, and cod liver oil are also effective in supporting immune health.
• American Wellness sells a great infant powder probiotic that will just mix in with their food.

 

Gastroenteritis in Children

Testing for E. coli 0157:H7:

We are currently testing children for E. coli 0157:H7, an uncommon type of bacteria also known as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). If the test is positive, it means your child has an E. coli 0157:H7 infection, which can sometimes lead to serious complications. 

Overview:

Your child has gastroenteritis an infection in the intestinal tract caused by bacteria or a virus, leading to diarrhea. Diarrhea is defined as passing loose, watery stools three or more times a day. Other symptoms may include:

• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever and chills
• Watery or Bloody stools
• Fatigue

Diagnosis and Treatment:

• Diagnosed through stool samples.
• Most infections resolve within 5-10 days without antibiotics.
• Avoid antidiarrheal medicines unless advised by the healthcare provider.
• Ensure your child stays hydrated with water or children's electrolyte solutions. 

Preventing Spread:

• If the test is positive, please keep your child out of daycare, school, and large gatherings until you have 2 negative tests.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. 
• Clean the toilet after each use
• Bath kids separately and bleach tub between baths.
• Wash hands before and after preparing food and avoid cross-contamination with raw foods.
• Use a food thermometer to ensure meats are cooked to safe temperatures.
• Use disposable gloves for diaper changes, and wash hands thoroughly after each diaper change. 
• Wash or peel fruits and vegetables before eating
• Avoid swimming in all sources of water and water activities. (Pools, Lakes, Bounce houses, water Slides, Rivers, etc.)

When to Seek Medical Advice:

• Severe or persistent belly pain.
• Repeated vomiting or severe diarrhea lasting over 24 hours
• Blood in vomit or stool 
• Signs of dehydration. (e.g., dark urine, no tears, dry mouth, 3 or less wet diapers within 24 hrs.)
• Extreme drowsiness, confusion, or seizures
• Fever in infants and toddlers. 

If your test comes back positive:

• Give lots of fluids (Pedialyte). 
• Remove all forms of dairy from diet. (including formula)
• If he/she doesn't improve in 2 days, start using a soy based formula for nutrition.
• Provide multiple types of probiotics. (Sauerkraut, sauerkraut juice, apple cider vinegar, probiotic supplement).
• For infants dilute the sauerkraut juice and apple cider vinegar.
• If number of wet diapers decrease to 3 or less per day, if he/she seems lethargic, develops bloody stools, and unusual rash, or you have other concerns, follow up with your Provider.
• Avoid swimming in all sources of water/water activities. (Bounce houses, Water, Pools, Lakes, etc.)
• Keep your child out of daycare, school, and large gatherings until you have 2 negative tests.
• Bath kids separately and bleach tub between baths. 

Home Care Tips:

• Follow all healthcare provider instructions
• Avoid giving over-the-counter diarrhea medicines unless prescribed.
• Use acetaminophen for pain and fever, but avoid ibuprofen and aspirin due to the risk of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).
• Prevent dehydration with oral rehydration solutions available at pharmacies.

Contact Information:

For any concerns or emergencies, contact your healthcare provider or dial 911 if immediate medical attention is required.

Disclaimer:

This information is not a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. 

How to Make Sanitizer Spray that will kill E-Coli and other Deadly Pathogens:

• QRinse: Mix 1 Tablespoon -or- 3 Teaspoons with 1 Gallon Water.
• Chlorine: Mix 2 Teaspoons Clorox Brand Bleach with 1 Gallon Water.

(2 tsp chlorine in a gallon is the minimum requirement to kill Pathogens. It is also important to note that Clorox wipes are not always effective in killing pathogens because they do not penetrate pores and cracks in a surface. They are sufficient however on things like door knobs and light switches etc.)

Cleaning is a two step process

1. Clean with a cleaner that remove oils, proteins and grime.

2. Sanitize with a sanitizer that kills pathogens. Not all over the counter disinfectants that claim to kill pathogens do. Make sure yours will.  

Keeping Your Home Safe: Tips for Dealing with E-Coli

We all know how challenging it can be to keep our homes clean and our little ones healthy, especially when dealing with illnesses like E-Coli and diarrhea. It is important to remember that E-Coli in your home will not go away on its own, you must take extra steps to kill it. Here are some friendly tips and recommendations to help you navigate through these times and make that stubborn E-Coli in your home disappear:

Understanding E-Coli E-Coli can be picked up from contaminated surfaces or food, so it's crucial to maintain good hygiene practices, especially around children. Make sure everyone washes their hands thoroughly after using the bathroom or changing diapers. This simple step goes a long way in preventing the spread of bacteria.

Sanitizing Hotspots High-traffic areas like kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and frequently touched surfaces should be sanitized regularly. A simple spray bottle filled with a bleach solution can work wonders in disinfecting kitchen counters, toilet seats, handles, and toys that your kids often touch.

Dealing with Contaminated Items For clothes soiled with diarrhea, using bleach might be necessary to ensure proper sanitation. While it might affect the color, it's important to prioritize cleanliness. For regular dirty clothes, a diluted bleach mix or hot water wash (as long as the temperature reaches 165 F.) can eliminate bacteria.

Wash those Hands The most common way for young children to transmit bacteria to others is through the hands. You can prevent this by encouraging your children to always wash their hands thoroughly after using the bathroom. The importance of washing your hands to prevent the spread of bacteria cannot be stressed enough.

Special Care for Young Children If you have young children, especially those with diarrhea, their bedding should be washed daily. Additionally, during sickness, pacifiers and bottles should be boiled between feedings. It would be a good idea to prevent kids from sharing food or sippy cups or bottles during sickness.

Quarantine and Isolation If your child shows symptoms of E-Coli or has tested positive, it's advised to keep them home until they get a negative test -or- two weeks after diarrhea symptoms and any other symptoms are gone. This precaution helps protect others in the community who may be more vulnerable. It is necessary to refrain from taking your child out before this, as E-Coli can stay inside the body for a period of time after symptoms have ceased and still transmit to others. Quarantine and proper sanitization go hand in hand. It is not enough to just quarantine, you must sanitize your home to remove the bacteria from your home as well to prevent reinfection in your child.

Bathroom and Diaper Hygiene When dealing with diarrhea, it's essential to bathe the affected child separately and sanitize the bathtub afterward with a disinfectant. Only adult or responsible caregivers should handle diarrhea diaper changes, and surfaces like changing tables should be sanitized after each use.

Clean that Washing Machine Pathogens thrive in moist and warm environments. It multiplies fastest in temperatures of 40 to 140 F. The lip/seal of those front load washing machines make the perfect breeding grounds for it, so pay special attention to this area during sanitization so that you can thoroughly remove and pathogens.

General Household Cleanliness In addition to targeted cleaning, maintaining overall household cleanliness is key. Sanitize carpets by getting them steam cleaned, mop hard floors with a bleach water solution daily, sanitize kitchen counters and tables between meals and before prepping food, and periodically clean toys, step stools, and garbage cans to minimize the risk of spreading germs. Using the "sanitize" option on your dishwasher will ensure that E-Coli will never remain on your dishes to recontaminate your food at mealtimes.

Food preparation and storage

• Hand Washing: Always be sure to effectively wash hands with a disinfectant soap and water before and after preparing food. Wash hands after handling raw meat and after picking something up from off the floor. Handwashing must be done for at least 20 seconds for it to be effective.
• Proper Cooking: Cook meat, poultry, and seafood to the recommended internal temperatures. Use a food thermometer to make sure that these foods reach temperatures that kill bacteria. A safe temperature for all meats to kill bacteria is 165°F. Leftovers also need to be heated to at least 165°F (74°C) before eating. Make sure that they are evenly heated to kill any harmful bacteria.
• Safe Food Storage: Store raw meat, poultry, and seafood in separate containers to prevent cross-contamination. Keep your refrigerator at or below 40°F and your freezer at or below 10°F. Store ready-to-eat foods like deli meats and soft cheeses separately from raw foods.
• Inspect Products: When shopping, it would be good to check expiration dates and avoid products that are past their sell-by date. 

Additional Tips & Reminders:

• Steam Cleaning Carpets: Steam clean carpets at least once a year to remove deep-seated dirt and bacteria.
• Dishwasher: Set your dishwasher to the sanitize setting to ensure dishes and utensils are thoroughly sanitized.
• Sanitize Doorknobs: Sanitize doorknobs at least once a week to clean it from all the bacteria hands have left behind
• Disinfectant Laundry Soap: Use laundry soap with disinfectant properties to reduce bacteria on in laundry batches
• Water Jugs: Clean water jugs with soap and water before refilling them to prevent bacterial growth.
• Milk Jugs: Rinse with water and sanitizer before reusing or dispose in outside garbage. 
• Milk: Keep milk refrigerated from production to use. Store milk as cold as possible. 
• Handwashing: Teach toddlers how to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Swimming Pools: Pools need to be tested regularly. Reduce bacteria by putting chlorine in the water or installing a saltwater system.
• Food Preparation Area:   Clean and sanitize the preparation area before and after handling food, with particular attention to meat products. 
• Eating Area: Thoroughly clean and sanitize all eating areas, especially those areas that constantly have kids around, before and after meals. 
• Play Area: Regularly clean and sanitize all toys, especially the toys the kids play with daily.
• Sleeping Area: Wash sheets, blankets, and pillowcases regularly, and daily, if necessary, to maintain cleanliness. 
• Bathroom Area: Clean and sanitize the toilet, bathtub, sink, and floors daily, and immediately after use by a sick child.
• Outside Grounds: Exercise caution with secondary water sources and private well water; have them tested annually for pathogens. 
• Farm Animals: Prevent manure from farm animals from entering the home. Always wash and sanitize hands following any contact with farm animals. 

Stay Informed and Stay Safe Lastly, staying informed about best practices and updates regarding E-Coli and hygiene is crucial. By taking these proactive steps, we can create a safer environment for our families and prevent the spread of illnesses. Remember, a little extra effort in cleaning and hygiene today can make a big difference in your family's health tomorrow. Stay safe, stay healthy, and enjoy your time together!

Let’s keep our homes happy and healthy!

Submit your own home remedies HERE

Submission #1 This is something I've been doing for my kids regularly for years, but recently told my daughter to try with her boys with diarrhea; she said it worked fast and very well Plain kefir (1 cup) Powered comfrey (heaping teaspoon) Organic maple syrup (enough to sweeten) I also do this remedy that stops it fast Applesauce (1 cup) Beef gelatin (heaping teaspoon)

Submission #2 You can use activated charcoal powder for toxicity / diarrhea. Then buy or make your own Pedialyte drink to re-establish the electrolytes.

Submission #3 This formula also helps with Diarrhea (specifically for infants): Rice Milk Formula 2 cups Rice water 2 cups spring water 1/4 cup whey 1/2 tsp cod liver oil 1 tsp sunflower oil 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil 2 tsp coconut oil 2 Tbs brown rice syrup 1 tsp Bifidobacterium (reuieri) 4 tsp Brewers yeast 2 tsp gelatin 1/4 tsp acerola  1 cup boiled white rice Keep the baby off of milk while on this formula.

 

 

 

 

 

What is E-Coli?

Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria normally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. Most types of E-coli are harmless, but a few strains such as E. coli O157:H7, can cause severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting. 

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Who is at risk?

Young children, older adults, and immune compromised individuals have a greater risk of developing a life-threatening form of kidney failure if infected with E-Coli.

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How do you get E-Coli?

Transmission through ingesting fecal particles or eating contaminated food.

E-Coli lives in the intestines, so you can get it from ingesting microscopic particles of infected feces, or from eating contaminated food. E-Coli does not live in the saliva, however, it can live in the mouth short term and be transmitted through saliva if the child has feces particles in their mouth. Therefore, it is a good idea to not let your kids share food or sippy cups.

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Symptoms

Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection usually begin three or four days after exposure to the bacteria. However, you may become ill as soon as one day after exposure to more than a week later. Signs and symptoms include:

• Diarrhea, which may range from mild and watery to severe and bloody
• Stomach cramping, pain or tenderness
• Nausea and vomiting

E-Coli has been in our environment for hundreds of years, usually having little effect. With the recent outbreak, it is believed that most of the cases are being spread from person to person.

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What kills E-Coli?

Clorox Bleach will kill E-Coli on contact. Heating food up to 165 degrees Fahrenheit will also kill E-Coli.

or- you can use the Quat sanitizer Gregory sold at Vanguard.
You cannot use vinegar, vinegar kills some germs but it does not kill E-Coli.
Hydrogen Peroxide will only kill E-Coli if it is strong enough. You may need to check the percentage on your bottle and then make sure that percentage will kill E-Coli.

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Is E-Coli in my house?

It is important to know that if your home is infected with E-Coli, it will not go away on its own. You have to kill it.

E-Coli bacteria thrives in moist, warm environments, and E-Coli multiplies fast and doubles in size every 20 minutes. The front load washers have been perfect breeding grounds for it, so pay special attention to those front load washers. Testing is available for your front load washer if needed. Click here to check out our products page.

Spray bottles are recommended. The Lysol wipes give you a false sense of security, as they do not go down into the porous surface.

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What is the mortality rate?

With this specific strain of E. coli. About 6-10% of kids under 5 develop HUS depending on the study. With aggressive medical treatment there is a 90-95% survival rate for HUS. Of those that survive HUS, up to 20% have long term kidney or brain injury. For most of that 20%, it's just mild chronic kidney disease that just needs to be monitored. A portion of those kids need a kidney transplant, and about 5% of them have some degree of brain injury. About 75% with HUS who get aggressive treatment make a full recovery without any long term issues. Without medical treatment, HUS has a 10% survival rate. And that's because most kids need blood transfusions and about half need dialysis to get through it.

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How can I prevent it?

Good Hygiene. It is extremely important for everyone to wash hands thoroughly after using the bathroom or changing a diaper, and make your kids do the same. Check out our E-Coli prevention page to learn more.