Amid the McDonald’s-linked E. coli outbreak, here are symptoms to watch out for and ways to stay safe

CNN
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An outbreak of infections linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has many people in the United States worried about their exposure to dangerous E. coli bacteria.

It’s not yet known which specific food ingredient in the burgers was contaminated, but as of Tuesday, dozens of people have contracted E. coli infections, including one death, in at least 10 states, according to the U.S. Disease Center. Control and Prevention.

The type of bacteria implicated in this outbreak is E. coli O157:H7.

“With this particular strain of E. coli that’s been in the news — it’s called O157:H7 — the most vulnerable groups tend to be older adults and very young children,” said Dr. James Gaensbauer, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Mayo Clinic. Children’s Center in Rochester, Minnesota.

While E. coli is very common and can cause a range of health problems, including urinary tract infections and stomach flu, “this particular strain primarily causes gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal cramps, vomiting, and most importantly, painful diarrhea.” which can sometimes become bloody.” Marcus Pereira, assistant clinical professor of medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians, said in an email.

“Some people can also develop a fever and eventually become dehydrated from not eating or drinking much while they have diarrhea,” he said. “The good news is that although it can be serious at times, most people with E. coli O157:H7 recover on their own.”

McDonald’s customers are encouraged to seek medical attention if they eat a Quarter Pounder and develop symptoms of an E. coli infection.

What are the symptoms and how is it treated?

E. coli, or Escherichia coli, is a common type of bacteria that lives in the intestines of people and animals, but some E. coli can make people sick. People can become infected after swallowing E. coli from contaminated food or water or through contact with animals, environments or other people where the bacteria is present.

“Additionally, it occurs in groups that may be around a specific exposure or a specific risk, and this could happen perhaps every few years,” Gaensbauer said. “It’s relatively common and something I probably deal with a few times a year.”

People infected with harmful E. coli may begin to notice symptoms a few days up to nine days after exposure to the bacteria, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A person can be tested for the presence of E. coli in their stool.

Symptoms of the infection include diarrhea, especially lasting more than three days, and a fever greater than 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Some people may also have severe stomach cramps and vomiting.

Most healthy people may not develop symptoms, Gaensbauer said.

But “in most cases, the symptoms people should look out for are diarrhea,” he said. “Severe types of diarrhea from E. coli can often start with loose stools, a watery type of diarrhea, but occasionally progress to bloody diarrhea.”

Most people recover without treatment after about a week, but some may develop serious health problems and require hospitalization.

“There is a specific type of E. coli known as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC, which has been implicated in serious outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. Exposed individuals can experience bloody diarrhea and even kidney failure,” said Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, last year.

The CDC estimates there are about 265,000 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections in the United States each year.

“Treatment consists of supportive care for symptoms and fluids for hydration,” Wen added.

STEC infection can lead to a serious health problem called hemolytic uremic syndrome, in which kidney failure or even death can occur. And O157:H7 is one of those types of bacteria.

“For the early stages of E. coli infection, with diarrhea, hydration is the most important treatment, so infected individuals should drink plenty of fluids if they can tolerate it. Children are at greater risk of dehydration and products like Pedialyte are often recommended in this situation,” Pereira wrote in the email.

“Sometimes patients need intravenous hydration in a medical center when they are severely dehydrated. For E. coli O157:H7, antibiotics are controversial and generally not recommended based on some evidence that they may actually increase the risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome,” he said.

The CDC warns against the use of antibiotics in STEC infections for this reason.

“The other thing we really watch out for is that sometimes there are medications that people take to slow down their bowels when they have diarrhea, and those medications are not recommended,” Gaensbauer said. “The idea is that maybe you don’t want to keep the bacteria and the toxin – maybe it’s better to have diarrhea. Therefore, people should always consult their doctor before taking any anti-diarrheal medication if they are concerned about an E. coli infection.”

The best ways to prevent E. coli infections are to keep your hands clean by washing them frequently, prepare food safely and drink safe water, according to the CDC.

“Undercooking meat is a common and serious problem. Infectious organisms may not be killed at lower temperatures,” Wen said. Thoroughly cooking meat to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit kills E. coli O157:H7, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Another way to prevent illness is to wash vegetables and fruits well before using them.

“Even if you are going to peel them, you should wash them under running water first. It is neither necessary nor advisable to use soap, liquid detergent, disinfectants or other solutions,” Wen said.

“Pay attention to which containers and utensils are in contact with the raw meat. Do not put salads or cooked meat in these containers,” she said. “Also, don’t wash other raw meats or raw seafood in the sink. This could spread bacteria and you could inadvertently contaminate other foods.”

The CDC also notes that choosing pasteurized milk and juices can reduce your risk of exposure to E. coli because the pasteurization process kills harmful germs, including E. coli.