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How Is E-coli Infection Contracted?
Question: Hi, I have a question about E-coli bacteria. I am on the mock trial team at my school and I am trying to make a case about a burger restaurant being responsible for causing a person to get the E-coli bacteria so this is not a personal medical question it is all hypothetical. If a group of people were to all eat burgers at a restaurant and the burgers were contaminated with E-coli, is it possible that only one person out of the group gets seriously ill with it and then the rest of the group of people only have upset stomachs the next day but then feel completely fine afterwards?
Brief Answer:
It is possible. Depends upon immunity of person and the strain of E.coli
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
E coli is a bacteria which has many types of strains. Some are hemorrhagic, some cause diarrhea, some cause urinary tract infection and some are normally present in our intestines which are called as gut flora.
So among the multiple strains which one has been present in the burger and which one caused the infection it will need microbiological study of each sample.
as our intestines normally contains E coli and if these strain is ingested it wont cause any trouble.
But if EIEC type of strain is consumed it can cause gastroenteritis in some people. Whereas if there are only toxin products of the bacteria present in food it will just cause upset stomach with some nausea and vomiting till the effect of bacterial product is there and then they will be fine.
So overall i would like to say that there can be many food stuffs we consume that contains normal E. coli and it doesn't harm us as they are normally present in our system.
You will need to sample the burgers to microbiologist to exactly find out the strain of E. coli if at all present in burgers.
Also the spread is by feco-oral route so educating the working staff to use clean hands can also reduce the incidence of E. coli transmission.
I hope i have answered your query well. If you have any more question kindly write back to me.
Thank you
It is possible. Depends upon immunity of person and the strain of E.coli
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
E coli is a bacteria which has many types of strains. Some are hemorrhagic, some cause diarrhea, some cause urinary tract infection and some are normally present in our intestines which are called as gut flora.
So among the multiple strains which one has been present in the burger and which one caused the infection it will need microbiological study of each sample.
as our intestines normally contains E coli and if these strain is ingested it wont cause any trouble.
But if EIEC type of strain is consumed it can cause gastroenteritis in some people. Whereas if there are only toxin products of the bacteria present in food it will just cause upset stomach with some nausea and vomiting till the effect of bacterial product is there and then they will be fine.
So overall i would like to say that there can be many food stuffs we consume that contains normal E. coli and it doesn't harm us as they are normally present in our system.
You will need to sample the burgers to microbiologist to exactly find out the strain of E. coli if at all present in burgers.
Also the spread is by feco-oral route so educating the working staff to use clean hands can also reduce the incidence of E. coli transmission.
I hope i have answered your query well. If you have any more question kindly write back to me.
Thank you
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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