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Maya2001 -> RE: ATM (2/27/2008 2:43:25 PM)
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risks of contracting E coli or salmonella which can be found in human stool http://edcp.org/factsheets/ecoli.html
Normal gastric acidity (pH < 3.5) is lethal to salmonellae. In healthy individuals, the number of ingested salmonellae is reduced in the stomach, so that fewer or no organisms enter the intestine. Normal small intestinal motility also protects the bowel by sweeping ingested salmonellae through quickly. The normal intestinal microflora protects against salmonellae, probably through anaerobes, which liberate short-chain fatty acids that are thought to be toxic to salmonellae. Alteration of the anaerobic intestinal flora by antibiotics renders the host more susceptible to salmonellosis. Secretory or mucosal antibodies also protect the intestine against salmonellae. Animal strains genetically resistant to intestinal invasion by salmonellae have been described. When these host defenses are absent or blunted, the host becomes more susceptible to salmonellosis; factors that render the host more susceptible to salmonellosis are listed in Table 3. For example, in AIDS, Salmonella infection is common, frequently persistent and bacteremic, and often resistant to even prolonged antibiotic treatment. Relapses are common. The role of host defenses in salmonellosis is extremely important, and much remains to be learned.
For how long can an infected person carry the salmonella germ? The carrier stage varies from several days to many months. Infants and people who have been treated with oral antibiotics tend to carry the germ longer than others.
Next, if the bacteria survive the stomach acid, they reproduce themselves in the small intestine. Once cell becomes two, two become four, four become sixteen, and so on. When there are "enough" bacteria, they cause a salmonella infection. How many bacteria does it take to make people sick? There is no exact number, but the more bacteria consumed, the more likely a person is to get sick. Healthy adults have eaten food containing millions of bacteria without getting sick. Other people have gotten sick from as few as 10 bacteria in their food.
In feces it is common to find small amounts e coli and salmonella... the reason warnings are posted to wash hands after using the bathroom and it is mandatory to anyone handling food in their job.
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