STRUCTURE AND PHYSIOLOGY
- I am a pathogenic Gram-negative bacterium
- I am rod-shaped and aerobic in nature and am predominately found in the intestinal lumen.
- Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of my outer membrane contribute to my toxicity and hence I am protected from the external environments.
TRANSMISSION AND DISEASE
- I am responsible for gastroenteritis and typhoid fever in humans and other mammals. However, in mice, I produce symptoms resembling typhoid fever in humans, which are then studied for developing vaccines.
- I spread infection mostly through contaminated water and food.
- However, most importantly, I also spread infections through surfaces that are not kept clean, unwashed hands after using the toilet or even after changing a baby’s diapers.
- An individual with contaminated hands can easily pass on the infection to other people through direct or indirect contact.
- Therefore, maintaining good hygiene is essential in order to prevent getting infected by me.
TREATMENT OF INFECTION
- Symptoms of infections normally disappear without treatment after a week. However, in some cases, patients may be required to take in plenty of fluids in order to prevent dehydration.
- Furthermore, doctors may also prescribe antibiotics against me if symptoms are severe, or if my presence is detected in the bloodstream.
DISINFECTION
- Due to my regular occurrence and pathogenicity, I am a common bacterium for measuring disinfectant efficacy.