11 tips on how to avoid an E. coli infection

The number of illnesses due to a probable infectious E. coli strain on campus are on the rise. Unfortunately, several students have fallen victim to the infectious E. coli strain that still has no known source. Here are some tips to keep out of harm’s way and to avoid bloody diarrhea.

—Kara Paliokas

1. Never eat raw or undercooked ground beef.

2. Always cook beef to a temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Wash your hands often with hot, soapy water, especially after handling raw meat or after passing bowel movements.

4. Always wash cooking tools, cutting boards, dishes, counter tops and utensils with hot, soapy water immediately after they have come into contact with raw meat.

5. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and for other food items.

6. Keep raw meat, poultry and seafood separate from vegetables, fruits, breads and other foods that have already been prepared for eating.

7. Use only pasteurized milk, dairy and juice products (juice made from concentrate is the same as pasteurized).

8. Use only treated (chlorinated) drinking water.

9. Wash handles on toilets and sinks with an antibacterial cleaner.

10. Swim in chlorinated pools only.

11. Travelers to developing countries should be especially careful not to eat ice and drink tap water. Also, do no raw fruits and vegetables unless they have skins to peel off.

Source: health.yahoo.com