E. coli and HUS

E. coli O157 causes 90% or more of the cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). In light of this, the CDC urges health professionals to get a culture for E. coli O157 from all HUS patients.

If E. coli O157 is found in the culture, the CDC recommends avoiding treatment with antibiotics. In several E. coli outbreaks, people who received antibiotics had a higher risk of kidney failure or death.

HUS generally occurs around the eighth day after an E. coli infection presents as diarrhea. Generally, fifteen percent of children under ten who contract an E. coli infection developed HUS. In recent E. coli outbreaks, the percentage of adults who developed HUS from an E. coli infection varied greatly, but children remain at the greatest risk of developing HUS.

HUS is often associated with E. coli-related bloody diarrhea, but only about 70% of HUS cases are preceded by bloody diarrhea. Anyone with severe gastrointestinal illness accompanied by watery or bloody diarrhea, especially in children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, should get medical attention.

In some cases, by the time a patient seeks medical attention for the HUS, the E. coli culture will be negative because the E. coli has passed through the patient’s system. The CDC recommends doing a rectal swab on admission for any patient suspected of having HUS in addition to getting stool samples.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is sometimes referred to as hemolytic uremic poisoning. This moniker is apt given that most cases of HUS are the result of E. coli poisoning, which is often contracted via food or water. If you or your child has been diagnosed with E. coli and/or HUS, the E. coli lawyers at Pritzker | Ruohonen are available for a free consultation. To contact the firm, call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the online consultation form.

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Foodborne Outbreaks

Georgia E. coli - Barbecue Pit Lawsuit
Ohio E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
Michigan E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
Multi-State Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak: Tomatoes have sickened hundreds of people throughout the United States.
Minnesota Preschool E. coli: Outbreak associated with Wonder World Preschool in Slayton, Minnesota.
Washington E. coli Lettuce: Outbreak associated with commercial romaine lettuce.
Texas Salmonella Saintpaul - Tomato: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
New Mexico Salmonella Saintpaul Linked to Tomatoes: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
Nebraska E. coli Outbreak Associated with Roast Beef
Hepatitis A - La Mesa California Chipotle - Lawyer and Lawsuit: San Diego County hepatitis A outbreak
Salmonella - Puffed Rice Recall and Puffed Wheat Recall: Malt-O-Meal cereal recall.
Minnesota Salmonella - Milford Valley Farms Lawsuit: Frozen chicken product.
Salmonella - Agropecuaria Montelibano Cantaloupe Recall: Cantaloupe from Honduras.
Salmonella Litchfield Cantaloupe Lawsuit: Recall of Dole, Chiquita and other brands.
Honolulu E. coli - Sekiya's Lawsuit and Lawyer: E. coli associated with Hawaii restaurant.
Alabama E. coli - Church Supper: Outbreak associated with Eastern Shore Baptis Church.
E. coli - Rochester Meat Company Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef recall.
E. coli - Jeno's and Totino's Pizza Recall and Lawsuit: Pepperoni on pizza.
E. coli - Topps Recall and Lawsuit: Hamburger patty recall.
E. coli - Cargill/Sam's Club Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef patty recall.
Listeria - Whittier Farms Recall and Lawsuit: Miscarriage and death linked to milk.
Hawaii Salmonella - Tuna Recall and Lawsuit
Salmonella - Safeway Ground Beef Recall and Lawsuit