With massive recalls of ground beef and other products such as spinach due to E. coli contamination clouding the food supply, the rise of dangerous diseases has been affecting individuals across the nation. If a person becomes infected with E. coli bacteria, the infection can often lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

HUS is characterized by damage and destruction of the red blood cells, which leads to a lower than normal number of red blood cells (a condition called anemia), blood clots, and damage to blood vessel walls. In the most severe cases, HUS can include damage to the kidneys, which can lead to failure of the kidneys (renal failure). Other complications that can accompany the illness are thrombocytopenia (platelet deficiency in the blood) and neurologic signs, including irritability and, very rarely, seizures.

A Minnesota woman recently awoke from a medically-induced coma due to HUS. 21 years of age, and recovering in Rochester, Minnesota, she contracted an E. coli infection from a contaminated burger that she ate. She is still expected to spend many more months recovering from her illness. Her story and a video can be found at KARE 11.

A child from New Mexico also developed HUS around the time of the spinach E. coli outbreak in July 2006. His parents took him to the Children’s Hospital at the University of New Mexico, and three days after being admitted his kidneys failed.

According to the Valencia County News Bulletin,

Things quickly cascaded from bad to worse — Kevin's lungs filled with fluid, he developed pancreatitis, he required blood transfusions and daily dialysis. "We didn't know when it was going to stop," his mother (Carolyn) remembers.

After five weeks of ups and downs, Kevin's kidneys began functioning again, but they are scared and damaged. "Most kids do recover, but with the scar tissue we have a long road ahead," Carolyn said. "We are probably looking at a transplant at some point. The doctors can't say when because they aren't sure what his body will do."

Kevin is recovering and at home with his parents, but he and his family are working to make the public aware of the dangers of HUS. Appearing in commercials and hosting a radiothon, Kevin is doing all he can to benefit the hospital that helped save his life. The radiothon is being broadcast on 100.3 The Peak.

There is currently no good way to battle E. coli infections and patients are often left to “fight it out.” With the risks associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), it is important to keep E. coli contaminated products away from consumers and to utilize measures to keep the food supply safe.

Labels:hemolytic uremic syndrome, HUS survivors