Escherichia coli

Imagine a super-duper tiny living thing, so small you can only see it with a special magnifying glass called a microscope. That's E. coli! Most of the time, these little guys are your friends.

They live in the warm, dark place inside your belly called your intestines. They help break down the food you eat so your body can use all the good stuff. They are like tiny helpers working hard to keep you healthy!

Scientists first learned about E. coli a long, long time ago, in the year 1885. A smart doctor named Theodor Escherich was studying babies and their poop. Yes, poop! He found these tiny germs everywhere. He realized that E. coli was a normal part of what was inside everyone's tummy. It was like discovering a whole new world of tiny creatures living with us all along!

Even though E. coli is tiny, it's super important. Most of the time, it's a good helper in your tummy. But sometimes, a few E. coli can get a little naughty. They might come from food that wasn't washed properly or wasn't cooked enough. When this happens, they can make you feel sick with a tummy ache, or even worse. So, washing your hands and cooking food well helps keep the naughty E. coli away!

E. coli has a special scientific name: Escherichia coli. It's a type of germ called a bacterium. These bacteria are found all over the world, especially where animals live, like on farms. They love to hang out in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including us! One of their coolest jobs is helping make a special vitamin, called Vitamin K, which is important for your blood.