Beef Safety Tips

Beef Safety Tips Transcript

[Announcer] This podcast is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC — safer, healthier people.

[Dr. Gaynes] Welcome to A Cup of Health with CDC, a weekly feature of the MMWR, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. I’m your host, Dr. Robert Gaynes.

Tossing some hamburgers on the grill can make for a relaxing evening, but failure to follow some simple precautions can have serious consequences. Escherichia coli, or E. coli, is a form of foodborne illness that can result from mishandling or undercooking beef products.

Dr. Melissa Viray is a medical epidemiologist with CDC’s National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne, and Enteric Diseases. She’s joining us today to discuss the importance of thoroughly cooking meat to avoid foodborne illness. Welcome to the show, Melissa.

[Dr. Viray] Thanks for having me.

[Dr. Gaynes] Melissa, how common are E. coli outbreaks in the United States?

[Dr. Viray] Well, we at CDC investigate between 20 to 30 a year, but that is probably a pretty big underestimate since many foodborne illnesses don’t get reported to their physicians.

[Dr. Gaynes] How does beef get infected with E. coli?

[Dr. Viray] E. coli is a bacteria that lives normally in the guts of animals like cattle, and once the beef is processed, that bacteria can contaminate the beef if proper procedures aren’t taken, and the problem with ground beef is that that contamination, or that E. coli, can be spread throughout the beef during the grinding and mixing.

[Dr. Gaynes] Melissa, what are the symptoms of E. coli infection?

[Dr. Viray] Well, most develop some bloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping, but children, in particular, can have severe complications that involve kidney damage and even death. So, as with any foodborne illness, people should drink lots of fluids and if they’re worried or if their symptoms persist, they should call their healthcare provider, in particular, for children.

[Dr. Gaynes] What precautions should people take when cooking meat?

[Dr. Viray] People should always wash their hands, both before and after coming into contact with the meat. They should wash any surfaces that come into contact with raw meat, with hot soapy water, and for ground beef, in particular, they should be sure to cook the beef all the way through to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If a meat thermometer is not available, they should make sure the meat’s not red or runny on the inside.

[Dr. Gaynes] Where can listeners get more information about E. coli and other types of food borne illness?

[Dr. Viray] More information can be found at www.cdc.gov/ecoli.

[Dr. Gaynes] Thanks, Melissa. I’ve been talking today with CDC’s Dr. Melissa Viray about ways to avoid foodborne illness when handling raw meat. Remember, thoroughly wash your hands and any surfaces that come in contact with raw meat. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. A few simple precautions can help keep your grilled food safe for you and your family.

Until next time, be well. This is Dr. Robert Gaynes for A Cup of Health with CDC.

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Healthy Lifestyle Tips

Five Tips for a Safer and Healthier Life Transcript

[Announcer] This podcast is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC – safer, healthier people.

We’re all busy, but we can improve our health just by taking small steps every day. Follow these five simple tips to help you live a safer, healthier life.

First, eat healthy. Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains every day. Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol. To maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet.

Second, be active for at least two and a half hours a week. Include activities that raise your breathing and heart rates and strengthen your muscles. Help kids and teens be active for at least one hour a day. Include activities that raise their breathing and heart rates and strengthen their muscles and bones.

Third, protect yourself. Wear helmets, seat belts, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Wash hands to stop the spread of germs. Stop smoking and avoid breathing other people’s smoke. Build safe, healthy relationships with family and friends. Be ready for emergencies by putting together a supply kit, making a plan, and being informed.

Fourth, manage stress. Balance work, home, and play. Get support from family and friends. Stay positive. Take time to relax. Get seven to nine hours of sleep every night, and make sure kids get more, based on their age. Get help or counseling, if needed.

Fifth, get regular check-ups. Ask your doctor or nurse how you can lower your chances for health problems based on your lifestyle and health history. Find out what exams, tests, and shots you need and when to get them. See your doctor or nurse as often as he or she says to, or sooner if you feel sick, have pain, notice changes, or have problems with medicine.

So, remember the five tips: eat healthy, be active, protect yourself, manage stress, and get check-ups. Following these steps can help you live a longer, healthier life.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/family/tips

College Health Tips Podcast

College HealthTranscript
This podcast is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC – safer, healthier people.

The college years are exciting, but they can also be stressful. Between studying, making friends, and going to class, it can be hard to find time to care for your health. By taking the following daily steps, you can be safer and healthier through your college years and beyond.

Be active. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. If it’s hard to find 30 minutes all at once, do it in several shorter sessions throughout the day.

Eat regular, balanced meals, and limit junk food. Eat healthy snacks, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts. If you’re concerned about your weight, talk to a doctor or nurse about how to lose or gain it gradually and safely. If you or someone you know has signs of an eating disorder, get help.

Avoid using tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Regardless of what you’ve seen or heard, none of these substances improves your life or helps you cope. Smoking causes cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other problems. Alcohol contributes to the leading causes of injury-related death in 12-20 year-olds. Find out what resources your college has to help you avoid substance use.

Get 8 hours of sleep each night, and keep a regular sleep schedule. Getting enough sleep will help you perform better during the day. It will also help you lower your risk for automobile injuries, poor grades, depression, and other problems.

Avoid sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs. The surest way to avoid transmission of STDs is to abstain from sexual intercourse, or to be in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected. Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can lower the risk of transmission of some STDs. If you’re sexually active, get tested for STDs and HIV infection.

Manage stress. Figure out what may be causing your stress and what you can do to lower stressors. Changing schedules, using relaxation techniques, setting realistic goals, and staying active may help. Also, think positively. We are often much harder on ourselves than we need to be. Develop a circle of friends for support. Participate in campus activities that give you the opportunity to express yourself and meet new people with similar interests.

If you have questions or concerns about your health or safety, talk to a doctor, nurse, counselor, religious leader, or other person who can help.

For more college health and safety tips, visit www.cdc.gov/family/college.

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