What is Hamburger Disease and How Can You Prevent It?

Cleanliness and thorough cooking are the key

Hamburger disease, also known as barbecue season syndrome, because it often contracted from during barbecues, is a very serious condition. The medical term for this condition is Haemorrhagic Colitis.

Hamburger disease is a type of food poisoning caused by E. coli. Although E. colin can be found in many foods, including meat, it is most common in ground beef. When burgers are not cooked properly, which is often the case with barbecues, hamburger disease can be the result. Hamburger disease can also happen if you eat off of the same plate on which the burgers were shaped.

The symptoms begin roughly 2 days after eating E. coli contaminated meat and typically last between 5 and 10 days. Symptoms include liquid diarrhea (sometimes bloody), vomiting, stomach cramps and fever.  In rare cases, the E. coli toxin can be fatal, usually for young children and the elderly.

In order to avoid getting hamburger disease you need to avoid ingesting the E. coli that is present in uncooked ground beef. Make sure your burgers are thoroughly cooked, and dont eat off the plate you had the raw meat on unless it has been thoroughly cleaned. Wash your hands after touching raw meat.

You need to make sure your meat is properly refrigerated, not past its best before date, that you keep your food preparation area clean and that you cook your meat thoroughly. Leftovers should be refrigerated immediately and thoroughly reheated before serving. Hamburger disease can be treated with antibiotics, but its best to practice the above prevention measures.