It may sound simple, but rest is key to recovering as quickly as possible from an E. coli infection. Since there is not much that traditional medical treatments can do, rest becomes very important to allow your body the energy to best fight off the infection using its own natural defences.  Take time off work or school. Not only is it important to stay home and rest for your own recovery, it is also important as a means to avoid contaminating others in the workplace or school. You should remain isolated socially because E. Coli infections are very contagious and you do not want to be responsible for infecting your entire office or class with this unpleasant bacteria. Be sure to wash your hands frequently, and to avoid others as much as possible for the duration of your illness (which should get better within a week or so).  E. coli is transmitted through fecal matter, so wash your hands extra thoroughly after using the restroom. E. coli infections tend to cause lots of diarrhea. As a result, is important to rehydrate yourself with water and fluids containing carbohydrates and electrolytes to compensate for the fluids lost in the diarrhea. Dehydration is more serious in extremes of age. If the individual with E. coli is an infant or a senior citizen, consider taking him to his doctor for treatment. Oral rehydration salts (ORS) is a powder containing salts and electrolytes that are needed in the body. It is more effective than plain water when it comes to rehydration. The powder is mixed in a litre of water and then the solution should be drunk of the next 24 hours. The powder can be obtained online and in pharmacies and most grocery stores.  Alternatively, ORS can be prepared at home by dissolving 4 tablespoons of sugar and half teaspoonful each of baking soda and salt in one liter of water. For further information, read wikiHow's How to Make an Oral Rehydration Salts Drink. The powder should be mixed in safe water to avoid further infection. Boil it if need be. You will be given intravenous fluids to replace the electrolytes and ions that have been lost during diarrhea and vomiting. An indication of when to go to hospital is when you can no longer tolerate fluids by mouth because of nausea, or when you are having diarrhea more than four times a day. If in doubt, it is best to see a medical professional to assess whether IV fluids can help to speed your recovery.  Electrolytes are substances that are found in the body and help to maintain the normal functioning of the body. You may be required to get a blood transfusion in cases of severe bloody diarrhea (which some strains of E. coli can cause). Your blood will be checked to determine hemoglobin levels. This helps to know the amount of blood that has been lost so that the blood can be transfused back. To help with symptom relief, you can take pain medication such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for abdominal pain. This is available over-the-counter at your local drugstore or pharmacy. Follow the dosing directions on the bottle. You can also try anti-nauseant medications such as Dimenhydrinate (Gravol) to help combat nausea. As your condition improves, start with a low fibre diet at first. This will help the digestive tract restore its normal function more quickly. If you have too much fibre, your stool will bulk up and pass through your digestive tract too quickly — a process that is already likely happening with your condition. You can add more fibre back into your diet after the diarrhea has subsided and when you are feeling better. Also avoid alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol can alter your liver metabolism and it is harmful to the lining of your stomach. Caffeine worsens diarrhea by increasing dehydration.

Summary: Rest. Stay hydrated. Try using oral rehydration salts. Go to the hospital for cases of severe dehydration. Take pain and anti-nauseant medications as needed. Modify your diet.


Once you've braided the bracelet down sufficiently, you can begin adding your beads. Take the strand of hemp farthest to the right. Take one of your beads and thread it through this strand. Push the bead up until it's pressed against the end of the braid.  Once the bead is near the edge of the braid, braid the strands as you normally would. You will end up braiding the bead into the center of the stands. When you're done braiding, the bead should be closed into the braid with twine. Once you've added one bead, take the new righthand strand. Thread a new bead onto this strand, and then braid the bead into the bracelet. You should now have two beads that are braided into the center of the hemp strands. Continue this process until you've added as many beads as you want. Keep adding beads to the new righthand strand, then braiding them into the center of the bracelet. For a wish bracelet, some advocate adding 7 beads as 7 is thought to be a lucky number. However, there is no set number. Add as many beads as you want for your bracelet. Once you've finished adding beads, continue braiding the hemp strands together. You should keep braiding until you're about two inches away from the end of the strands. Once you reach the end of the strand, tie another overhand knot. Remember, you cross the end of the hemp over the rest of the hemp, forming a q-shape. Pass the end of the hemp through the loop made by the q-shape and pull until tight. Your wish bracelet is now complete. Wrap the bracelet around your wrist and tie the two ends together. Make a wish as you do so. Superstition dictates that once all the beads fall off, your wish will come true.
Summary: Thread a bead onto the right hand strand and braid into the bracelet. Repeat the process with the new right hand strand. Add as many beads as you want. Braid down another few inches when you finish adding beads. Do another overhand knot. Tie the bracelet around your wrist and make a wish.