MICHAEL SMITH: You've been
hearing a lot about E. coli
lately, but what do you really
know about this bacteria?
E. coli bacteria naturally live
in the intestines of animals,
including humans.
Most strains of it are harmless,
but some kinds can make you sick
and it only takes
a microscopic amount.
Big outbreaks happen when we eat
or drink contaminated food
or water.
It's gross to think about,
but animal feces on a farm
can sometimes make its way
into our food.
For instance, a crop of lettuce
is washed in dirty water.
It's packaged and sent
to stores, then you buy it
and bring it home.
But you can also get sick if you
don't handle food properly.
Here are some things you can do
to protect yourself.
Wash your utensils,
cutting boards, and countertops
with hot soapy water.
Keep your raw meats separate
from food that's ready to eat.
And wash your hands
after preparing food, using
the toilet, changing diapers,
or contact with animals.
You're most likely to get it
from undercooked meat,
raw vegetables,
and unpasteurized milk
or cheese.
Now, most people can work
through an E. coli infection
on their own,
but if your symptoms are severe
visit your doctor.
For WebMD, I'm Dr. Michael
Smith.
