GERM ALERT

READ THE FOLLOWING GUIDE TO UNDERSTAND E. COLI BACTERIA, ITS SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

A“high level” of E. coli was reportedly found at the Egyptian resort where British couple John and Susan Cooper passed away in August.

E. coli is commonly known for causing food poisoning and most strains of the bacteria often don’t pose a great risk to a person’s health.

However, a recent outbreak of E. coli in the US led to the deaths of ive people and the contamination of approximately 200 individuals.

Not only can people who eat food that’s been contaminated with E. coli become infected, but also those who have merely come into contact with it.

So what exactly is E. coli, what are the symptoms of infection and how can it be treated?

What is E. coli?

E. coli, otherwise known as Escherichia coli, is a common type of bacteria that’s known for causing an irritable stomach and food poisoning.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that it can be found in various foods, in the environment and in the intestines of mammals, including humans.

While many strains of E. coli will usually cause a person who has come into contact with it no harm, there have been cases of people becoming extremely ill and even dying following an E. coli-related illness.

E. coli forms part of the gut lora, as outlined body is very signiicant, as this means that it can sometimes pose a risk to a person’s wellbeing if food has been contaminated with the bacteria.

What are the symptoms of infection?

Signs that you may have been infected by E. coli bacteria can take approximately three or four days to arise, as stated by the Mayo Clinic, an academic medical centre based in Minnesota.

Symptoms include having diarrhoea, which may either seem mild or contain blood, experiencing painful stomach cramping, feeling nauseous or