Bacteria are single-celled organisms that live around you. It is the organism with the highest population level on Earth. Most people assume that bacteria can have negative effects on health. However, some of the bacteria actually play an important role in our lives. Some of them even living in your body.

Escherichia coli is a type of “good” bacteria present in the intestines of humans and animals. These bacteria help maintain the health of the digestive system. Unfortunately, there are several types of E. coli which can produce harmful toxins for health. Some of them even become resistant to antibiotics.

There are several factors that can increase a person's risk of being infected by E.coli. One of them is consuming food that has been contaminated by these bacteria. Foods such as raw meat and chicken or raw cookie dough are vulnerable to E.coli. In addition, the risk of E. coli infection is also high in someone with poor hygiene, which rarely wash his/her hands.

From these two factors, it turns out that poor hygiene is more dangerous. In a recent study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, researchers found that more antibiotic-resistant E. coli infections occur due to human-to-human transmission resulting from poor hygiene, compared to consuming contaminated food or drinks. Therefore experts remind to always prioritize cleanliness. Getting used to washing hands is one of the small things that must be done.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Pixabay

Source(s):

• Manges, A.R. (2019). Escheriachia coli causing bloodstream and other extraintestinal infections: tracking the next pandemic. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(19)30538-9.
• Medical News Today - E. coli infections are linked to poor hygiene, not contaminated food (2019). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326772.php#1, 28 October 2019.