Facts And Figures About The E. Coli Bacterium

E. coli Is:

• A form of bacteria that commonly lives in the human body.
• One strain releases a toxin that can cause severe illness.
• The germ is present in uncooked beef, unpasteurized milk and juice, and on raw sprouts and lettuce.
  

Symptoms Include:

• Abdominal cramps.
• Severe, often bloody, diarrhea.
• Kidney failure in the young, elderly or people with weak immune systems.
  

If You Have An E. Coli Infection:

• You don’t need to take antibiotics.
• It will probably go away in five to 10 days.
• Young children and the elderly could be hospitalized to treat kidney failure.
  

Every Year In The U.S.:

• Approximately 73,000 people contract E. coli.
• Approximately 61 people die from the infection.
  

Ways to prevent contracting E. coli:

• Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
• Cook all ground beef and meat.
• Drink only pasteurized milk and juice.
• Don’t swallow water in lakes or public pools.
  

If You Get E. Coli, Try To Avoid Infecting Others:

• Don’t prepare food for others.
• Bathe alone.
• Don’t swim in public places.