Knowledge is Power
Education is the first line of defense against environmental pathogenic illness. Read below on what you can do to prevent illness and to keep your family safe as well as learn the signs to know when help is needed.
Pathogens & Bacteria
Pathogens can cause a variety of different diseases, with some being more severe than others. Human bodies are nutrient-rich and can provide a pathogen with an ideal environment in which to grow
and multiply.
The severity of infections that pathogens cause will vary. Some infections may be mild, while others can be life threatening. For example, the common Cold is a mild viral infection compared
with the lethal Ebola virus disease.
How Many Common Cases Start
Bacteria & Complications
E.Coli
E. coli are germs called bacteria. They are found in many places, including in the environment, foods, water, and the intestines of people and animals.
Most E. coli are harmless and are part of a healthy intestinal tract. E. coli helps us digest food, produce vitamins, and protect us from harmful germs.
But some E. coli can make people sick with diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sepsis, and other illnesses. This website focuses on the kinds of E. coli that cause diarrhea.
STEC
Salmonella
Salmonella that most commonly cause diarrheal illness. Other types of Salmonella – Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi
CDC estimates Salmonella bacteria cause about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year. Food is the source for most of these illnesses.
- Most people who get ill from Salmonella have diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
- Symptoms usually begin 6 hours to 6 days after infection and last 4 to 7 days.
- Most people recover without specific treatment and should not take antibiotics. Antibiotics are typically used only to treat people who have severe illness or who are at risk for it.
- Some people’s illness may be so severe that they need to be hospitalized.
Campylobacter
Campylobacter are bacteria that can make people ill with diarrhea. The illness is called campylobacteriosis.
Campylobacter cause the most bacterial diarrheal illnesses in the United States. CDC estimates that 1.5 million people in the United States get ill from Campylobacter every year.
Fast facts
- Many Campylobacter infections are not diagnosed or reported.
- Most infections are not part of recognized outbreaks
- Infections are more common in summer than in winter
HUS
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a condition that can occur when small blood vessels become damaged and inflamed. This damage can cause clots to form in the vessels all through the body. The clots can damage the kidneys and other organs. Hemolytic uremic syndrome can lead to kidney failure, which can be life-threatening.
Anyone can get hemolytic uremic syndrome. But it’s most common in young children. Most often, infection with certain strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria is the cause.
Other infections, certain medicines or conditions such as pregnancy, cancer or autoimmune diseases can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome. It also can be the result of certain gene changes.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome is serious. But treating it in time leads to a full recovery for most people, especially young children.
Shigella
Shigella infection (shigellosis) is an intestinal infection caused by a family of bacteria known as shigella. The main sign of shigella infection is diarrhea, which often is bloody.
Shigella is very contagious. People get infected with shigella when they come in contact with and swallow small amounts of bacteria from the stool of a person who is infected with shigella. For example, this can happen in a child care setting when staff members don’t wash their hands well enough after changing diapers or helping toddlers with toilet training. Shigella bacteria can also be passed in infected food or by drinking or swimming in unsafe water.
Children under age 5 are most likely to get shigella infection, but it can occur at any age. A mild case usually clears up on its own within a week. When treatment is needed, doctors generally prescribe antibiotics.
All definitions, explanations, information, credits, and verbiage belong to the CDC and Mayo Clinic.
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Prevention Checklist
There are always steps and precautions that you can take to keep yourself and your family safe. When interacting with animals, people and public surroundings please make sure that you prioritize handwashing with soap and hot water, avoiding unnecessary exposure like petting zoos, and preparing food safely. Please click through below to read more.
Wash Your Hands
Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and other people from getting sick. Learn when and how you should wash your hands to stay healthy.
Food Prep
Wash Hands and Surfaces Often
Always wash your hands after handling uncooked meat, chicken and other poultry, seafood, flour, or eggs.
Separate: don’t cross-contaminate.
Raw meat, chicken and other poultry, seafood, and eggs can spread germs to ready-to-eat food unless you keep them separate.
Cook to the Right Temperature
Food is safely cooked when the internal temperature gets high enough to kill germs that can make you sick.
The only way to tell if food is safely cooked is to use a food thermometer. You can’t tell if food is safely cooked by checking its color and texture (except for seafood).
Chill: refrigerate promptly.
Bacteria can multiply rapidly if left at room temperature or in the “Danger Zone” between 40°F and 140°F. Never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F).
Travel & Outdoors
When camping, hiking, or traveling, always use safe water for drinking, cooking, brushing your teeth, or other activities. Use one of these methods to treat or purify water
Don’t swallow water when swimming or playing in lakes, ponds, streams, swimming pools, and backyard “kiddie” pools. Learn more about healthy and safe swimming.
Further Education
Great Websites for More Information
Parker’s Promise is committed to spreading awareness and support to those infected and affected by harmful pathogen
Stop FoodBorne IllnessHere
Marler& ClarkFair Safety
NASPHVCompendium 2023
Tennessee River Keeper Pollution
IDSA2017 Infectious Guidlines
HUSSupport Group
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Frequently Asked Questions:
What do I do if my child may be sick with a harmful bacterial illness?
Symptoms of harmful bacterial illness can be any of the following: diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, malaise, fatigue. Exposure to farm animals (goats, cows, chickens, etc), public body of water like lake, creek, pond, pool; or eaten grilled meat or lettuce, all increase your chance of having enteric pathogenic illness. Please seek medical attention – pediatrician, urgent care, of emergency department.
What is in the care packages and why?
We take action to support those who are suffering. Thanks to your generous donations, we’re able to provide valuable resources to children and families who are hospitalized and recovering. The care packages of stuffed animals, blankets, toys, crafts and books bring smiles to these kids’ faces and provide a source of comfort during a difficult time. Our care packages are age appropriate and each item is specifically chosen for that child. Depending on resources we are sometimes able to provide sibling care packages. On our team we also have physical therapist Kenneth Swantek, DPT, and occupational therapist Lisa Gelfand, OTR/L, who have assisted us in putting together appropriate rehab care packages for our children requiring further rehab services after extensive hospitalization and or complications like stroke and seizure.
What can I do to help?
We all know it takes a collection of voices to really be heard and make a positive impact.  We need your help!  You can sign up to become an advocate, ambassador, or a sponsor.  You can host a toy donation box. You can donate. You can contact Congress members.  You can pass out flyers to your local churches, schools, farms, and agritourism businesses. Have an idea on how to help?  Reach out to us!Â
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