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How Is Ecoli To Transmitted?

Posted on Thu, 19 Jun 2014

Question: On saturday night, i handled some raw meat (skirt steak- not ground meat) . I was moving it from its packaging to a ziploc bag so i could marinate it. After I finished, I washed my hands for about 5 seconds with soap and water and then double bagged the meat. I then washed my hands again with soap and water for about 8-10 seconds. My wife asked me to make my toddler's milk. I put the water and formula in his sippy cup and shook it, and put my index finger above the mouth hole so it wouldn't spill. It's been 60 hours since then. Is there any chance i could have passed ecoli to my son? He's been fine so far, but I read things online and its driving me crazy. He is 20 months old. Would washing my hands be enough? Is ecoli common? I'm really scared. Thank you

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You need not worry.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,welcome to HealthcareMagic forum.

You have washed your hands with soap and water after the procedure. This will clearly remove any microbes you may be contacted, including viruses.
You need not be worried; be confident.

E coli is part of normal flora and is there in everyone's gut.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have further questions, I will be happy to help.
Take care,Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Muhammed Aslam (8 minutes later)

If he did have ecoli, when would symptoms appear? Is 60 hours long enough to not worry?

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
that depends on the class and serotype of microbe

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
The incubation period is different for different classes of microbes. Even within the same class, it differs among serotypes. For example, e coli has incubation period varying from 8hours to 8dsys,depending on serotypes.
So we cannot rule out infection by incubation period at present.
Anyhow as I told,for almost sure,you haven't transferred infection to him.
Hope you got it cleared now.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Muhammed Aslam (34 minutes later)

Ok, so you can't rule out infection by incubation period. But you feel confident that i didn't pass on any microbes. Is that because I washed my hands for 8 to 10 seconds? What if i hadn't washed my hands? why do you feel that for almost sure I didn't transfer it to him. This is my last question, you have been very helpful Thank you so much!

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes,washing hand is the most powerful precaution

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
I am so confident because you have washed your hand with soap and water.this is the most important precaution suggested for nursing mothers widely in order to prevent transmission of food born pathogens.
If you had not washed,there is chance of transmission, though to a little extend (with exception of highly virulent pathogens like shigella,just putting index finger on mouth piece is unlikely to pass the threshold of infective dose,with out direct contact with the drink).
Hope you are convinced.
If you have no further questions, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Thank you.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D