As an Orange County personal injury attorney I’ve seen a number of E. coli cases, many of which could have been avoided had people been more responsible with their actions. So here are 5 things you can do to avoid causing/spreading E. coli outbreaks:
1. A number of troubling symptoms may surface including abdominal pain or cramps, diarrhea with blood, fever and nausea.
2. Most people recover fully from E. coli infection. However, there are also some potentially serious complications. Pregnant women who drink contaminated water put their fetus at risk of developing neonatal meningitis. A small percentage of people will also develop hemolytic uremic syndrome or HUS. This can result in a loss of kidney function, which is obviously quite serious, and some people have died after developing this serious complication.
3. When you eat out, please remember that undercooked ground beef is one of the most common causes of E. coli infections. Heating the meat to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit is absolutely essential. If you are served a burger at a restaurant that is still undercooked or pink in the middle, send it back.
4. It is also important to remain vigilant at home. Wash fruits and vegetables particularly leafy greens that are consumed raw. Wash kitchen surfac es that are exposed to raw meat in order to prevent cross contamination of food.
5. If you have E. coli poisoning or suspect it, see a doctor immediately. With proper treatment, most people make a full recovery, and permanent damage is rare.