Health & Fitness
Doctor's In
A question on E. coli illness from a writer who thought it was harmless. Dr. Yacht encourages questions from readers, direct them to mjyacht58@gmail.com
Q: I understand that we all have E. coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria in our gut, so I don't understand articles I've read claiming deaths and serious illness due to E. coli bacteria. Can you explain? MB
A: A very good question. It is true that E. coli bacteria is in our intestinal tract. The issue is which strain or serotype of E. coli are we exposed to. There are other issues. In the intestinal tract most E. coli is harmless but in the urinary tract it can cause urinary tract infections that require antibiotics for treatment. That is why good personal hygiene, particularly hand washing is important to prevent disease.
Also, some people will resist disease more than others. In daycare centers where fecal oral transmission is at high risk, some children will be exposed and develop disease, others will not. However, the more severe strains of E. coli can cause catastrophic illness or death. A severe strain contaminating hamburger meat is well known causing severe food poisoning, kidney failure, and in in a number of instances, death.
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The best advice is to wash your hands, cook meat and poultry products well, and always practice good personal hygiene. Gastrointestinal illness can be prevented.
Questions can be directed to Dr. Yacht at mjyacht58@gmail.com
