Practice Areas

MN Personal Injury Newsletter

Other Practice Areas

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death

E. coli Treatment

E. coli treatmentE. COLI TREATMENT HEALTH ALERT: The CDC has notified health professionals that patients given antibiotics or antidiarrheal agents for an E. coli infection may be at greater risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the leading cause of E. coli-related deaths.  In two of our current cases, the firm is representing the families of women who died from E. coli-related hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). (See information on CBS affiliate interview of Fred Pritzker on E. coli and the wrongful death of a victim of the E. coli outbreak linked to spinach.) 

E. coli Treatment Information

Dehydration prevention is the primary "treatment" for an E. coli infection.  Most people recover without antibiotics or other specific E. coli treatment in 5-10 days. There is no evidence that antibiotics improve the course of disease, and it is thought that treatment with some antibiotics may precipitate kidney complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome, also referred to as HUS  (Wong et. al., The risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome after antibiotic treatment of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections). E. coli-related hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a life-threatening condition usually treated in an intensive care unit. Blood transfusions and kidney dialysis are often required, and the death rate is 3%-5%.

We know of situations were loperamide has been prescribed for E. coli infections. Loperamide is an antidiarrheal agent available generically under brand names such as Lopex, Imodium, Dimor. Because loperamide and other antidiarrheal agents prevent the body from flushing toxins from the gut, the CDC recommends that they not be used when there is a suspicion that the diarrhea is associated with E. coli O157:H7. As with antibiotics, loperamide may make a person suffering with an E. coli infection more susceptible to developing hemolytic uremic syndrome.

E. coli Treatment - Lawyers and Free Consultation

E. coliThis information on E. coli treatment is provided by Pritzker | Olsen, P.A., one of the few law firms in the United States that practices extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation. Fred Pritzker has gained a national reputation in this area and has been interviewed by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and other publications.  In regognition of his accomplishments, he was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America.  To contact Fred Pritzker or another lawyer at Pritzker | Olsen, P.A., please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's online consultation form.


Free Case Consultation





Logos
 
Fred Pritzker on Comcast Newsmakers

Fred Pritzker on Twitter

Fred Pritzker is listed in The Best Lawyers in America

 
 

This is attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. The result of each case is determined by the specific facts and the applicable law.