Introduction
The growing number of infectious diseases in the United States and the world is a consequence of man’s lifestyle choices. Bacteria-resistant strains make these infections increasingly deadly, making them global health risks. Escherichia Coli is a prime example of a bacterial infection whose prevalence and continued impact on society are physically and financially detrimental. Whereas Escherichia Coli is a harmless bacterium, some strains are toxic and fatal, making it a global health issue whose spread is reducible by enacting measures such as frequent hand and food washing, in addition to proper food preparation.
Discussion
Escherichia Coli, abbreviated as E. coli, occurs naturally in the environment and human gut. Large animals and humans carry it in their gastrointestinal tract, whose effects are negligible. However, it is transferrable through their fecal matter (Ameer et al., 2021). The bacterium is harmless unless it moves into the bloodstream. Shiga-toxin-producing E.coli is the most common type of Escherichia coli strain and is responsible for many infections. There are roughly 95,000 annual cases in the United States of E. coli food poisoning (Pires et al., 2020). Of these cases, 2,000 patients stay in the hospital, and roughly 60 die annually (Pires et al., 2020). Bezabih et al. (2020) reported 9,000 global infection cases between 2015 and 2018 from 30 countries. The highest numbers of infections originated from Southeast Asia while, in contrast, Europe produced minimal prevalence rates. Global trends in E. coli infection rates indicate a high possibility of infection, especially in recent years, making the disease a global health risk.
E. coli contributory factors center on food preparation and mismanagement. Bacterium acquisition mainly occurs through undercooked or raw beef, unpasteurized milk, and unwashed vegetables (Ameer et al., 2021). E. coli strains transfer hosts when humans indiscriminately touch animal fecal matter or pet farm animals. Contaminated water, especially in the presence of cattle, is a vital contributor to infection since the animals are significant carriers of infectious forms of the disease. It is advisable to clean the hands regularly, especially after bowel movements, to prevent E. coli. In addition, cooking meat products and food to the correct temperature, usually 70 °C minimizes infection (Ameer et al., 2021). Likewise, people should store food at a safe temperature, and the water utilized for drinking is boiled to reduce toxins.
Infections from E. coli strains produce a variety of symptoms. These signs include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and a fever. Furthermore, Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli, shortened as STEC, may lead to bloody diarrhea that adversely affects children and the elderly. The infection can also lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a disease that causes renal failure or neurological complications. HUS has yellow skin, high blood pressure, and fatigue. Under normal circumstances, E. coli has an incubation period of a week and resolves itself within ten days (Ameer et al., 2021). Adverse complications such as bleeding, respiratory problems, or urinary tract infections require medical help from a qualified professional.
Diagnostic tests for E. coli are available and widely applicable. Usually, a physician orders stool samples and sends them to a laboratory to identify the specific strain ailing the patient. Severe infections require the attention of a gastroenterologist or a nephrologist due to the adverse effects of HUS. Stool cultures are also relevant in determining the antibodies regarding STECs; however, a blood test helps reveal the patient’s blood cell count. These diagnostic tests are not only appropriate for identifying E. coli strains but also for eliminating other medical conditions.
Nurses play a vital role in negating the risks of infections in the community due to their impact on patient satisfaction and quality of service delivery. Advanced practice nurses can effectively see and diagnose patients infected with E.coli without a doctor. This process minimizes the spread and fatal effects of infections in the country. Furthermore, controlling the mode of transmission by ensuring a clean workstation and hospital reduces the risk of disease (Galindo-Méndez, 2020). Advanced practice nurses focus on isolating sick patients, providing access to quality medical services, and creating controls that reduce the spread of toxins. Resultant management strategies revolve around the mass sensitization of patients about their infections. These steps help curb the prevalence of E. coli cases and deaths.
Escherichia Coli has no pharmacological treatment. Nonetheless, antibiotics are occasionally valuable for treating subsequent diseases caused by the infection; unfortunately, their use increases the risk of developing HUS (Galindo-Méndez, 2020). Therefore, most treatment is supportive and highly tailored to the patient’s symptoms. The varying strains and degree of impact necessitate close observation in case of dehydration or bloody emesis. Patients suffering from kidney failure undergo dialysis, whereas those with a low blood cell count undergo transfusion. These steps are practical enough to deal with E. coli in the human body.
Follow-up measures after E. coli infections encourage cleanliness and hygiene when dealing with slaughtered animals. Patients should responsibly dispose of fecal matter and attend doctor appointments to ensure early symptom detection. Moreover, the patient must prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids. Vitally, the use of anti-diarrheal medication is discouraged since the occurrence of Kaopectate or Imodium adversely affects the body.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Escherichia Coli is a bacterium that is naturally occurring in the gut of most animals and humans. Despite its relative harmlessness, some strains cause deadly infections that manifest through symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, respiratory problems, or kidney failure. Preventive measures and initiatives should start from proper farm production of vegetables and animals to their thorough cleaning of the homestead. Advanced nurses and individuals in society have a crucial role in preventing E. coli infections and death by effectively cleaning their hands and foodstuffs.
References
Ameer MA, Wasey A, Salen P. (2021) Escherichia Coli (E Coli 0157 H7) National Library of Medicine. Web.
Bezabih, Y. M., Sabiiti, W., Alamneh, E., Bezabih, A., Peterson, G. M., Bezabhe, W. M., & Roujeinikova, A. (2020). The global prevalence and trend of human intestinal carriage of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in the community. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 76(1), 22–29. Web.
Galindo-Méndez, M. (2020). Antimicrobial resistance in escherichia coli. In L. Rodrigo (Ed), E. Coli Infections – Importance of Early Diagnosis and Efficient Treatment (pp.1-12). Intechopen. Web.
Pires, A. F., Stover, J., Kukielka, E., Haghani, V., Aminabadi, P., de Melo Ramos, T., & Jay-Russell, M. T. (2020). Salmonella and Escherichia coli prevalence in meat and produce sold at Farmers’ markets in Northern California. Journal of Food Protection, 83(11), 1934–1940. Web.