Debunking E. Coli Myths

[Matthew Caton]

Are all E-Coli Strains Really Harmless? Debunking the Common Myth

Many people think that when they eat raw meat, drink raw milk or even a bad piece of lettuce, they will be infected with Escherichia coli, more commonly known as E. Coli, a bacteria strain. According to the CDC, when people get E. Coli, they are prone to diarrhea, urinary infections, pneumonia, sepsis, and many other illnesses. Because of the terrible effects the bacteria strains bring, many people rightfully believe that all strains of E. Coli are dangerous…but are they?

Most E. Coli strains are harmless and benefit a person’s intestinal tract. These strains help people digest food, produce vitamins, and protect us from harmful germs, according to the CDC. These strains grow naturally in the gut of many animals or humans. While many strains of E. Coli exist in animals and uncooked meat and water, only a small fraction of them are harmful.

 The most dangerous strain most people associate the bacteria with is the O157:H7 strain. O157:H7 is most frequently found in healthy cattle, goats, deer, and sheep. It is transmitted to humans when it is accidentally mixed with beef and consumed by humans. The effects of being infected by this bacteria are severe cramps and diarrhea, as well as the effects previously mentioned.

Because E. Coli infections frequently bring unpleasant effects to infected individuals and are the most common thought when seeing a raw burger or murky water, this brings a negative connotation to all strains of E. Coli. However, this is not the case as the bacteria can be found naturally in the intestinal tract of all humans and many animals. While it is still obvious that some strains can still bring some dangerous infections with detrimental health effects, the majority of strains bring many positive health benefits to individuals that are essential to our intestinal tracts.

References: 

https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/about/index.html#:~:text=Most%20kinds%20of%20E.%20coli,E.%20coli%20that%20cause%20diarrhea.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/escherichia-coli-o157-h7