How can I keep from getting E. coli infection?

You can help prevent this infection by handling and cooking meat in a safe way. For your protection, follow these rules:

● Wash your hands carefully with soap before you start cooking.

● Cook ground beef until you see no pink anywhere.

● Don't taste small bites of raw ground beef while you're cooking.

● Don't put cooked hamburgers on a plate that had raw ground beef on it before.

● Cook all hamburgers to at least 155°F. A meat thermometer can help you test your hamburgers.

● Defrost meats in the refrigerator or the microwave. Don't let meat sit on the counter to defrost.

● Keep raw meat and poultry separate from other foods. Use hot water and soap to wash cutting boards and dishes if raw meat and poultry have touched them.

● Don't drink raw milk.

● Keep food refrigerated or frozen.

● Keep hot food hot and cold food cold.

● Refrigerate leftovers right away or throw them away.

● People with diarrhea should wash their hands carefully and often, using hot water and soap, and washing for at least 30 seconds. People who work in day care centers and homes for the elderly should wash their hands often, too.

● In restaurants, always order hamburgers that are cooked well done so that no pink shows.

How is E. coli infection diagnosed and treated?

The diagnosis is made by finding E. coli in a stool culture. If you have bloody diarrhea, see your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will do a culture to find out if you have E. coli in your intestines. The culture has to be taken in the first 48 hours after the bloody diarrhea starts.

There is no special treatment, except drinking a lot of water and watching for complications. Don't take medicine to stop diarrhea unless your doctor tells you to. This medicine would keep your intestines from getting rid of the E. coli germ. If you are seriously dehydrated, you might need to go to the hospital to have fluids put into your veins with an IV.

Are there any complications from E. coli infection?

The most common complication is called hemolytic uremic syndrome. People with this problem get hemolytic anemia (which is a low red blood cell count), thrombocytopenia (which is a low platelet count) and renal failure (which is kidney damage).

Hemolytic uremic syndrome is more common in children. It can cause acute renal failure in children. This problem starts about 5 to 10 days after the diarrhea starts. People with this problem must go to a hospital for medical care. 

What are the symptoms of E. coli infection?

Symptoms start about 7 days after you are infected with the germ. The first sign is severe abdominal cramps that start suddenly. After a few hours, watery diarrhea starts. The diarrhea causes your body to lose fluids and electrolytes (dehydration). This makes you feel sick and tired. The watery diarrhea lasts for about a day. Then the diarrhea changes to bright red bloody stools. 

The infection makes sores in your intestines, so the stools become bloody. Bloody diarrhea lasts for 2 to 5 days. You might have 10 or more bowel movements a day. Some people say their stools are "all blood and no stool."

You may have a mild fever or no fever. You may also have nausea or vomiting. If you have any of these symptoms -- watery, bloody diarrhea, cramps, fever, nausea or vomiting -- try to get to your doctor right away.

How can I catch E. coli infection?

Most E. coli infections come from:

●  Eating undercooked ground beef (the inside is pink)

●  Drinking contaminated (impure) water

●  Drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk

●  Working with cattle

Healthy beef and dairy cattle may carry the E. coli germ in their intestines. The meat can get contaminated with the germ during the slaughtering process. When beef is ground up, the E. coli germs get mixed throughout the meat.

The most common way to get this infection is by eating contaminated food. You can be infected with the E. coli germ if you don't use a high temperature to cook your beef, or if you don't cook it long enough. When you eat undercooked beef, the germs go into your stomach and intestines.

The germ can also be passed from person to person in day care centers and nursing homes. If you have this infection and don't wash your hands well with soap after going to the bathroom, you can give the germ to other people when you touch things, especially food.

People who are infected with E. coli are very contagious. Children shouldn't go to a day care center until they have 2 negative stool cultures (proof that the infection is gone). Older people in nursing homes should stay in bed until 2 stool cultures are negative.

What is E. coli?

E. coli is short for Escherichia coli -- bacteria (germs) that cause severe cramps and diarrhea. E. coli is a leading cause of bloody diarrhea. The symptoms are worse in children and older people, and especially in people who have another illness. E. coli infection is more common during the summer months and in northern states.

Cure Tuberculosis using Nature Methodology

Tuberculosis is no longer considered incurable if it is tackled in the early stages. An all round scheme of dietetic and vitality building programme along natural lines is the only method to overcome the disease. 

As a first step, the patient should be put on an exclusive fresh fruit diet for three or four days. He should have three meals a day of fresh, juicy fruits, such as apples, grapes, pears, peaches, oranges, pineapple, melon or any other juicy fruit in season. Bananas, dried or tinned fruits SHOULD NOT be taken.

For drinks, unsweetened lemon water or plain water either hot or cold may be taken. If losing such weight on the all-fruit diet, those already under weight may add a glass of milk to each fruit meal.

After the all-fruit diet, the patient should adopt a fruit and milk diet. For this diet, the meals are exactly the same as the all-fruit diet, but with milk added to each fruit meal. The patient may begin with a litre of milk the first day and increase by quarter litre daily up to two to two and a half litres according to how the milk agrees. 

The milk should be fresh and unboiled, but may be slightly warmed if desired. It should be sipped very slowly. The fruit and milk diet should be continued for four to six weeks. Thereafter, the following dietary may be adopted:

* Breakfast: Fresh fruits, as obtainable, and milk. Prunes or other dried fruits may also be taken, if desired.

* Lunch: Steamed vegetables as available, one or two whole wheat chapattis and a glass of buttermilk.

* Dinner: A bowl of raw salad of suitable vegetables with whole wheat bread and butter. Stewed fruit or cooked apple may be taken for dessert.

* At bed time: A glass of milk.

What is the Treatment of Adenovirus Infections?

Adenoviral illnesses often resemble certain bacterial infections, which can be treated with antibiotics. But antibiotics don't work against viruses. To diagnose the true cause of the symptoms so that proper treatment can be prescribed, your doctor may want to test a sample of respiratory or conjunctival secretions, a stool specimen, or blood or urine sample — depending on what condition is being considered.

The doctor will decide on a course of action based on your child's condition. Adenoviral infections usually don't require hospitalization. However, infants and young children may not be able to drink enough fluids to replace what they lose during vomiting or diarrhea and may therefore need to be hospitalized to correct or prevent dehydration.

Duration:

Most adenoviral infections last from a few days to a week. Severe respiratory infections may last longer and cause lingering symptoms, such as a cough. Pneumonia can last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks.

In cases of pharyngoconjunctival fever, sore throat and fever may disappear within a week, but conjunctivitis can persist for another several days to a week. The more severe keratoconjunctivitis can even last for several weeks. Adenovirus can also cause diarrhea that lasts up to 2 weeks, which is longer than other viral diarrheas.

Prevention:

There's no way to completely prevent adenoviral infections in kids. To reduce the risk of transmission, parents and other caregivers should encourage frequent hand washing, keep shared surfaces such as countertops and toys clean, and remove kids with infections from group settings until symptoms subside.

Know about Symptoms of Adenovirus Infections

Depending on which part of the body is affected, the signs and symptoms of adenoviral infections vary:

Febrile respiratory disease; which is an infection with fever of the respiratory tract, is the most common result of adenoviral infection in kids. The illness often appears flu-like and can include symptoms of pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx, or sore throat), rhinitis (inflammation of nasal membranes, or a congested, runny nose), cough, and swollen lymph nodes (glands).

Gastroenteritis; is an inflammation of the stomach and the small and large intestines. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, vomiting, headache, fever, and abdominal cramps.

Urinary tract infections; can cause frequent urination, burning, pain, and blood in the urine.

Eye Infections;

-Conjunctivitis (or pinkeye) is a mild inflammation of the conjunctiva (membranes that cover the eye and inner surfaces of the eyelids). Symptoms include red eyes, discharge, tearing, and the feeling that there's something in the eye.

-Pharyngoconjunctival fever, often seen in small outbreaks among school-age kids, occurs when adenovirus affects both the lining of the eye and the respiratory tract. Symptoms include very red eyes and a severe sore throat, sometimes accompanied by low-grade fever, rhinitis, and swollen lymph nodes.

-Keratoconjunctivitis is a more severe infection that involves both the conjunctiva and cornea (the transparent front part of the eye). This type of adenoviral infection is extremely contagious and occurs most often in older kids and young adults, causing red eyes, photophobia (discomfort of the eyes upon exposure to light), tearing, and pain.

Know about Adenovirus Infections

Adenoviruses — a group of viruses that infect the membranes (tissue linings) of the respiratory tract, the eyes, the intestines, and the urinary tract — account for about 10% of acute respiratory infections in kids and are a frequent cause of diarrhea.

Adenoviral infections affect infants and young children much more frequently than adults. Childcare centers and schools sometimes experience multiple cases of respiratory infections and diarrhea that are caused by adenovirus.

Although these infections can occur at any time of the year, respiratory tract disease caused by adenovirus is more common in late winter, spring, and early summer. However, conjunctivitis and pharyngoconjunctival fever caused by adenovirus tend to affect older kids mostly in the summer.

The majority of the population will have experienced at least one adenoviral infection by age 10. Although adenoviral infection in kids can occur at any age, most take place in the first years of life. Since there are many different types of adenovirus, repeated adenoviral infections can occur.

H1N1 Tips: Parents, Take Care of Children!

As a parent you know how hard it can be for children to understand stressful situations, such as the current situation of influenza A(H1N1). Stressful situations often cause children to worry and have many questions as to why it is happening and how it can be fixed. 

It is important to remember to take care of your health and well-being as well as the health of your children. If you cope with a stressful situation well, your children will also cope better. Your confidence and calm attitude will help your children ease their worries and feel safe and secure.

• Keep activities as consistent and normal as possible even if your normal routine changes (due to daycare or school closures).

• Ask your children what they have heard about influenza A(H1N1). Answer questions openly and honestly, at a level they can understand. Be concrete and do not avoid difficult questions. 

• Allow your children to express their feelings and concerns. Let them know it is okay to be afraid or mad. Ask questions so you can help them identify and cope with their feelings.

• Children always need to feel safe and loved. When they are uncertain about situations and afraid they may need even more affection and attention.

• Limit exposure to media and adult conversations about influenza A(H1N1). If your children are watching T.V. try to watch with them or make sure you are available to answer questions about what they have heard.

• As appropriate, encourage healthy behaviors: eating well, sleeping well, playing outside.

• Use their questions as an opportunity to let them know what they can do to avoid getting novel H1N1 flu.

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds (long enough for children to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice). Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.

• Cough and sneeze into a tissue. (If a tissue is used, throw the tissue away immediately).

• Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.

• Stay at least six feet away from people who are sick.

• Stay home from school if sick, and stay away from sick people until they are better.

H1N1 Tips: How is H1N1 Flu Treated?

Below are recommended step for H1N1 flu treatment;

• Treat any fever right away.

• Drink plenty of fluids to replace those you lose when you are sick.

• Your doctor will decide if you need antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu® (oseltamivir) or Relenza® (zanamivir). Antiviral drugs are prescription pills, liquids or inhalers that fight against the flu by keeping the germs from growing in your body. These medicines can make you feel better faster and make your symptoms milder.

• These medicines work best when started soon after symptoms begin (within two [2] days), but they may also be given to very sick or high risk people (like pregnant women) even after 48 hours. Antiviral treatment is taken for 5 days.

• There is little information about the effect of antiviral drugs in pregnant women or their babies, but no serious side effects have been reported. If you do think you have had a side effect to antiviral drugs, call your doctor right away.

H1N1 Tips: How to Minimize the Spread of Flu #5?

When providing care to a household member who is sick with influenza, the most important ways to protect yourself and others who are not sick are to:

Household Cleaning, Laundry, and Waste Disposal

• Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash. Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste.

• Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.

• Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.

• Wash linens (such as bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry soap and tumble dry on a hot setting. Avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating yourself. Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub right after handling dirty laundry.

• Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.

H1N1 Tips: How to Minimize the Spread of Flu #4?

When providing care to a household member who is sick with influenza, the most important ways to protect yourself and others who are not sick are to:

Using Facemasks or Respirators

• Avoid close contact (less than about 1 meter away) with the sick person as much as possible.

• If you must have close contact with the sick person (for example, hold a sick infant), spend the least amount of time possible in close contact and try to wear a facemask (for example, surgical mask) or N95 disposable respirator.

• An N95 respirator that fits snugly on your face can filter out small particles that can be inhaled around the edges of a facemask, but compared with a facemask it is harder to breathe through an N95 mask for long periods of time.

• Facemasks and respirators may be purchased at a pharmacy, building supply or hardware store.

• Wear an N95 respirator or surgical mask if you help a sick person with respiratory treatments using a nebulizer or inhaler, as directed by their doctor. Respiratory treatments should be performed in a separate room away from common areas of the house when at all possible.

• Used facemasks and N95 respirators should be taken off and placed immediately in the regular trash so they don’t touch anything else.

• Avoid re-using disposable facemasks and N95 respirators if possible. If a reusable fabric facemask is used, it should be laundered with normal laundry detergent and tumble-dried in a hot dryer.

• After you take off a facemask or N95 respirator, clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

H1N1 Tips: How to Minimize the Spread of Flu #3?

When providing care to a household member who is sick with influenza, the most important ways to protect yourself and others who are not sick are to:

If you are the caregiver to Sick Person:

• Avoid being face-to-face with the sick person.

• When holding small children who are sick, place their chin on your shoulder so that they will not cough in your face.

• Clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub after you touch the sick person or handle used tissues, or laundry.

• Talk to your health care provider about taking antiviral medication to prevent the caregiver from getting the flu.

• Monitor yourself and household members for flu symptoms and contact a telephone hotline or health care provider if symptoms occur.

H1N1 Tips: How to Minimize the Spread of Flu #2?

When providing care to a household member who is sick with influenza, the most important ways to protect yourself and others who are not sick are to:

Protect other persons in the home

• The sick person should not have visitors other than caregivers. A phone call is safer than a visit.

• If possible, have only one adult in the home take care of the sick person.

• Avoid having pregnant women care for the sick person. (Pregnant women are at increased risk of influenza-related complications and immunity can be suppressed during pregnancy).

• All persons in the household should clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub frequently, including after every contact with the sick person or the person’s room or bathroom.

• Use paper towels for drying hands after hand washing or dedicate cloth towels to each person in the household. For example, have different colored towels for each person.

• If possible, consideration should be given to maintaining good ventilation in shared household areas (e.g., keeping windows open in restrooms, kitchen, bathroom, etc.).

• Antivirals can be used to prevent the flu, so check with your healthcare provider to see if some persons in the home should use antiviral medications.

H1N1 Tips: How to Minimize the Spread of Flu #1?

When providing care to a household member who is sick with influenza, the most important ways to protect yourself and others who are not sick are to:

Placement of the sick person

• Keep the sick person in a room separate from the common areas of the house. (For example, a spare bedroom with its own bathroom, if that’s possible.) Keep the sickroom door closed.

• Unless necessary for medical care, persons with the flu should not leave the home when they have a fever or during the time that they are most likely to spread their infection to others up to 7 days after they get sick.  

• If persons with the flu need to leave the home (for example, for medical care), they should cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and wear a loose-fitting (surgical) mask if available.

• Have the sick person wear a surgical mask if they need to be in a common area of the house near other persons.

• If possible, sick persons should use a separate bathroom. This bathroom should be cleaned daily with household disinfectant.

• Remind the sick person to cover their coughs, and clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often, especially after coughing and/or sneezing.

• Have everyone in the household clean their hands often, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub

• Ask your healthcare provider if household contacts of the sick person—particularly those contacts who may have chronic health conditions.

H1N1 Tips: How Flu Spreads?

The main way that influenza viruses are thought to spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. 

Influenza viruses may also be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose (or someone else’s mouth or nose) before washing their hands.

People with influenza A(H1N1) who are cared for at home should:

• Check with their health care provider about any special care they might need if they are pregnant or have a health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or emphysema.

• Check with their health care provider about whether they should take antiviral medications.

• Stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.

• Get plenty of rest.

• Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from being dehydrated.

• Cover coughs and sneezes. Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often and especially after using tissues and after coughing or sneezing into hands.

• Avoid close contact with others – do not go to work or school while ill.

• Be watchful for emergency warning signs (see below) that might indicate you need to seek medical attention.

H1N1 Tips: What You Know about H1N1?

Influenza A (H1N1) virus infection can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with influenza A(H1N1).  

Like seasonal flu, this infection humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Severe disease with pneumonia, respiratory failure and even death is possible with swine flu infection. Certain groups might be more likely to develop a severe illness from swine flu infection, such as persons with chronic medical conditions. 

Sometimes bacterial infections may occur at the same time as or after infection with influenza viruses and lead to pneumonias, ear infections, or sinus infections.