A woman in Zhengzhou opened a package and ate snacks without washing her hands, which caused her diarrhea. The culprit turned out to be E. coli.

Recently, Ms. Li from Zhengzhou ate snacks without washing her hands after unpacking a package, and was infected with E. coli on the package box, which caused abdominal pain and diarrhea. Data show that during the transportation of express delivery, due to contact with various environments, there may be up to a dozen pathogens. To verify this statement, the hospital laboratory randomly sampled the surface of a package box and found multiple pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and adenovirus syncytial virus. Under what circumstances will E. coli, a common intestinal bacterium, pose a threat to health? Let us unveil its mystery together.

1. What is Escherichia coli?

Escherichia coli, scientific name Escherichia coli, is a Gram-negative short rod commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. It has flagella all over its body and can move, but has no spores. Usually, E. coli is beneficial to the human body, such as synthesizing vitamin K2 and participating in intestinal digestion and metabolism. However, in some cases, it may also become a pathogen and threaten human health.

2. Under what circumstances does Escherichia coli become a pathogen?

1. Contaminated food and water

When people ingest food or water contaminated with pathogenic E. coli, they may develop intestinal infections. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, it can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and even life-threatening conditions. Ms. Li in the news ate snacks without washing her hands after unpacking a package, which may have exposed her to E. coli on the package box, causing an intestinal infection and abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Some pathogenic E. coli may also cause serious diseases such as hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Hemorrhagic colitis is mainly manifested by severe abdominal pain and heavy blood in the stool; hemolytic uremic syndrome can lead to serious consequences such as renal failure, anemia, and thrombocytopenia.

2. Infection in other parts of the body

In addition to intestinal infections, E. coli may also cause infections in other parts of the body. For example, when the body's immunity is low, E. coli may invade the urinary system and cause diseases such as cystitis and pyelonephritis, which manifest as symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, pain, and fever.

E. coli may also cause sepsis, which is especially common in newborns, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. Sepsis is a serious systemic infection that can cause symptoms such as high fever, chills, and shock, and can even be life-threatening.

3. Transmission routes of E. coli

1. Food transmission

Food contaminated by E. coli is one of the main ways to cause human infection. Raw or undercooked meat, eggs, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, etc. may carry E. coli. For example, in the breeding process, animal feces may contaminate water and feed, and then contaminate meat and eggs; in the process of growing vegetables and fruits, the use of contaminated water for irrigation or the application of untreated organic fertilizers may also cause agricultural products to be contaminated by E. coli.

Unsanitary practices during processing and storage may also cause food to be contaminated with E. coli. For example, using contaminated knives or cutting boards to cut food, or storing food in an unsanitary environment for too long, may increase the risk of E. coli contamination.

2. Water transmission

Water sources contaminated by E. coli are also an important way to spread E. coli. Drinking untreated raw water, swimming in polluted rivers and lakes, etc. can cause human body to be infected with E. coli. In some areas, due to improper sewage treatment and water source pollution, drinking water may contain E. coli, thus posing a threat to human health.

3. Contact transmission

Direct contact with objects or environments contaminated with E. coli may also lead to infection. For example, contact with contaminated toilets, bathrooms, swimming pools and other public facilities, or contact with infected animals and their feces, may expose the human body to E. coli. Ms. Li in the news was infected because she touched a courier box contaminated with E. coli and then ate snacks without washing her hands.

4. How to prevent E. coli infection

1. Pay attention to food hygiene

Choose fresh and clean food, and avoid eating raw or undercooked meat, eggs, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, etc. When cooking food, make sure it is thoroughly cooked, especially meat, eggs and other foods that are prone to carry E. coli.

Pay attention to the hygiene of food storage and processing. Use clean knives and cutting boards to cut food to avoid cross contamination; store food in a clean and sanitary environment to avoid long-term exposure to the air; clean the refrigerator regularly to prevent food from being contaminated in the refrigerator.

2. Ensure drinking water safety

Drink treated drinking water and avoid drinking raw water. When you are outdoors, choose a clean water source and perform appropriate treatment, such as boiling and filtering, to ensure the safety of drinking water.

3. Pay attention to personal hygiene

Develop good personal hygiene habits and wash your hands frequently, especially before meals, after defecation, before touching food, and after touching facilities in public places. Wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds.

Keep the living environment clean and hygienic, and regularly clean toilets, bathrooms, kitchens and other places to prevent bacterial growth.

4. Avoid contact with infection sources

Avoid contact with objects or environments contaminated by E. coli, such as contaminated toilets, bathrooms, swimming pools and other public facilities, infected animals and their feces, etc. If contact is necessary, take appropriate protective measures, such as wearing gloves and masks.

5. Enhances Immunity

Maintaining good living habits, such as a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and adequate sleep, can help enhance immunity and reduce the risk of E. coli infection.

E. coli is a common bacterium that may pose a threat to human health under certain conditions. We should understand the characteristics and transmission routes of E. coli and take effective preventive measures to protect the health of ourselves and our families. At the same time, in daily life, we should also pay attention to personal hygiene and avoid contact with contaminated objects and environments to reduce the risk of infection with E. coli.