Preventing E. coli Infection: Clean Hands, Safe Food, Safe Water

The main points

• Some kinds of E. coli bacteria can make you sick.
• The best protection: clean hands, safe food preparation and safe drinking water.
• These steps matter most for children under 5, adults 65 and older, people with a weakened immune system, and international travelers.

Keep your hands clean

Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from getting sick. CDC explains when and how to wash your hands.

Handle food safely

E. coli and other harmful germs can be on kitchen surfaces and in food. At home, follow CDC's four steps to food safety:

1. Clean
2. Separate
3. Cook
4. Chill

Drink safe water

• At home, safe water may be as simple as turning on the tap — but sometimes extra steps are needed. See how to protect your home drinking water.
• Camping, hiking or traveling, always use safe water for drinking, cooking and brushing your teeth. Use a proven way to treat or purify it.
• Swimming: don't swallow the water in lakes, ponds, streams, pools or backyard "kiddie" pools. More on healthy swimming.
• Diarrhea and swimming don't mix: don't swim, or let others swim, while sick with diarrhea.

Choose pasteurized milk and juice

Pasteurization kills harmful germs, including E. coli. When you shop for milk, dairy products and juice, look for the word "pasteurized" on the label — and if in doubt, don't buy it. More on the risks of raw milk.

Sources

Based on "How to Prevent E. coli Infection," E. coli Infection, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain. The source's stock photograph is not reproduced.