E. coli 0157:H7 Bacteria

Illness from E. coli 0157:H7 is due to a toxin made by a virus that lives inside the bacteria.

The DNA of the virus will integrate into the DNA of E. coli 0157:H7. It will stay there quietly for generations.
When triggered by a stimulus the viral DNA will leave the E. coli DNA, multiply rapidly and step up production of toxins. Antibiotics appear to act as one stimulus for this event.
As the viruses multiply, they fill up the bacteria, eventually causing it to burst.
New bacteria are infected.

How to prevent infection

• Purchase only organically raised meat and produce from small family farms. 

Farming methods employed on large-scale commercial farms and feedlots are unhealthy and the cause of most food-borne disease. Only one glance is needed to see that these places are the main problem, not the consumer's washing or cooking of the food. Blaming the consumer is favored by industry rather than cleaning their farms, feedlots, packers and factories.

One must still follow precautions for the preparation of foods. However, improving the producer's cleanliness is the cure for food-borne disease, not irradiation, or blaming consumers.

On factory farms, animals are packed inside small spaces, injected with growth hormones, and fed other chemicals that upset the natural balance in their bodies -- all of which create a welcoming environment for E. coli and many diseases that can be passed on to humans. 

On the large-scale commercial produce farm, sewage sludge is sprayed excessively on the fields. Sewage sludge can contain human waste, industrial chemical waste, heavy metals, and any number of highly toxic and persistent chemicals

The best way to reduce your exposure to E. coli is to avoid commercial grade food entirely. The standards for commercial grade food (as opposed to organic foods) were written by and for industry and not for health. Many of the regulations are aimed specifically at running small family farms out of business by forcing them to purchase high-priced processing equipment, most of which is not proven to increase safety.

• Avoid raw rare or undercooked ground beef make sure the meat is brown (not pink) throughout, the juices run clear and the inside is hot. 

• Keep raw meat separate from other foods.

• Wash hands, counters and utensils with hot soapy water after touching raw meat.

• Thoroughly clean knives after cutting meat, fish or shell fish before cutting other foods.

• Infected people should wash hands carefully with soap to reduce risk of spreading infection.

• Drink bottled water if traveling to places where water quality is uncertain.

• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.

• Avoid swallowing lake or pool water while swimming.

E. coli 0157:H7 is a potentially fatal strain of bacteria that causes an estimated 73,000 cases of infection and 61 deaths in the US each year. 

Life-threatening Illnesses 1  Hemolytic uremic syndrome Most commonly strikes children under five years old and the elderly. Destroys red blood cells Acute kidney failure Treatment: Blood transfusions After-effects: Chronic kidney failure, bowel disorders, blindness, stroke or seizures 2  Disease of the central nervous system In adults, infection may progress to this stage, causing seizures and coma After effects: Blood clots in the brain; death 3  Non life-threatening Illnesses Bloody diarrhea - Bacteria colonizes in the intestines, producing a powerful toxin, causing up to ten days of, severe abdominal cramps; watery diarrhea, often bloody; vomiting and nausea; inflammation Treatment: Usually resolves itself After effects: Usually none

source:  http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jul00/coli27g.asp 11sep01