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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.
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