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Foodborne Illnesses Listed by Category Below

 

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  Summary
Background
Clinical Features (symptoms)
Diagnosis and Control
Route of transmission
Foods to avoid
Risk Groups
Treatment & Prevention
  
     
  Summary:  
  E.Coli 0157:H7 is the scientific name for a bacterium which causes a syndrome of acute bloody diarrhea called hemorrhagic colitis  
 
 
  Background:  
  In normal healthy individuals E.Coli (or Escherichia Coli) is part of the intestinal flora.ÊIt plays a beneficial role within the body in that it supplies close to 50% of the bodyÕs dietary need for vitamin K.ÊAdditionally, it contributes to the homeostasis of the intestines by inhibiting the growth of potentially pathogenic bacteria.ÊThere exists, however, a variant of E.Coli which, unlike its harmless counterpart, secretes a toxin that wreaks havoc upon the gastro-intestinal tract of those unfortunate enough to contract it.ÊThe culprit of this so-called hemorrhagic colitis is a variant strain called E.Coli serotype 0157:H7.  
 
 
  Clinical features (Symptoms)  
 

The most common symptoms begin between 2 and 5 days , lasting approximately 8 days.

  • Diarrhea or bloody diarrhea
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Nausea
  • Malaise
  • Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) - a condition of acute kidney failure which occurs in very young individuals
  • Thrombotic thrombocytopenia pupera (TTP) – a similar condition occurring in older adults
  
 
 
  Diagnosis and control  
  {diagnosis}  
 
 
  Routes of transmission?  
 

  • Person to person contact

  • Unchlorinated water

 
 
 
  Foods to avoid  
 

  • Contaminated water

  • Raw milk

  • Raw or rare ground beef

  • Unpastuerized apple juice or cider

  • Uncooked fruits and vegetables

 
 
 
  Risk groups  
  Anyone can develop hemorrhagic colitis.   In the very young this type of infection can result in Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) that causes acute kidney failure.    In the elderly this syndrome may manifests itself as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).  
 
 
  Treatment and prevention  
  {treatment}  
 
 
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