What Is E. Coli?

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Some types ofE. colibacteria keep the intestinal tract healthy, while others cause infection.
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▼ Escherichia coli(known asE. coli) is a group of bacteria that typically lives in the intestines of humans and animals and helps keep our guts healthy. Certain types of the bacteria, however, can occasionally cause severe illness, according to the Centers for Disease  Control and Prevention(CDC).
The types ofE. colithat cause the majority of harmful infections in the U.S. produce a toxin called Shiga, and are appropriately called Shiga-toxin-producingE. coli(STEC). In North America, the most common strain of STEC isE. coliO157:H7 (often shortened toE. coliO145, or simply O145). The CDC estimates that 265,000 Americans are infected with STEC per year, resulting in about 3,600 hospitalizations and 30 deaths.
EnterotoxigenicE. coli(ETEC) is one of the leading causes of "traveler's diarrhea," which is often contracted when travelers from developed regions visit less-developed regions, according to Emory University. The CDC estimates that anywhere from 30 to 70 percent of travelers may be affected depending on the time of year and destination, with areas such as Latin America, Africa and Asia having the highest risk of travelers developing ETEC.
Worldwide, ETEC is estimated to infect at least 280 million to 400 million children under age 5 per year, primarily in developing countries. Children under age 5 typically lack a natural immunity that develops with exposure, according to Emory.
WhileE. colican spread and enter the body in a variety of ways, about 85 percent of infections are from food, according to the University of California San Francisco. Meat becomes contaminated when the bacteria is spread from the intestinal tract of the animal during butchering or processing. Fresh produce may also be contaminated with the bacteria if it enters the water source, such as with the 2018 outbreak ofE. colion romaine  lettuce.
Causes
Pathogenic strains ofE. colican be ingested with contaminated food, such as undercooked ground beef, soft cheeses made from raw milk, fresh produce, grainsor even contaminated beverages, including water, unpasteurized milk and fruit juices, according to the U.S. Department of Health  and Human Services.
Infection can also occur after not carefully washing hands that have come in contact with animals (especially livestock), or people or surfaces that have been exposed to the harmful bacteria. Swimming in contaminated water may also lead to anE. coliinfection, especially if any water was swallowed.
AlthoughE. colican infect anyone, certain groups of people are more at risk for developing symptoms than others, including young children and older adults, and those with weakened immune systems or decreased stomach acid levels, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Symptoms (▪ ▪ ▪)

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