Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) Risks

E. coli Bacteria The following information about hemolytic uremic syndrome is provided by Pritzker Olsen Attorneys, a nationally-recognized law firm in the area of food poisoning lawsuits. Our attorneys have appeared on CBS News and Fox News. They have also been interviewed by The New York Times, The Associated Press, Lawyers USA and other publications.

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Hemolytic Uremic Sydrome (HUS) and the Kidneys, Central Nervous System, Pancreas and Heart

Children, the elderly, and immunosupressed people are at increased risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome with an E. coli infection. Recently, though, young, healthy adults have developed HUS.

Although most people who develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) do recover fully, many are burdened with permanent and debilitating health problems as a result of the illness. Complications of hemolytic uremic syndrome can include the following:

Hemolytic anemia and associated blood complications
Abnormal kidney function
Kidney failure (renal failure) that may require a kidney transplant (renal transplant) - illness accompanying kidney failure is called uremia (develops when urea and other waste products are retained in the blood)
Gall stones - probably caused by rapid hemolysis, breaking open of red blood cells and the release of hemoglobin
Elevated pancreatic enzyme levels that could lead to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and or pancreatitis
Central Nervous System (CNS) disturbances such as irritablilty, behavior changes, disorientation, delerium, hallucinations, dizziness and tremors
Seizures
Coma
Stroke
Encephalopathy
Respiratory disease syndrome
Convulsions
Heart problems, including myocardial infarction, cardio myopathy, cardiogenic shock, congestive heart failure
Cortical blindness, caused by damage to the visual area in the brain's occipital cortex
Thrombocytopenia (platelet deficiency in the blood)
Paralysis
Death, usually from uremia (see above)

Acute Kidney Failure

kidneys Hemolytic uremic syndrome can cause severe hemolytic anemia, which can lead to bruising, ineffective blood clotting, high blood pressure, damage to blood vessel walls and hemorrhaging. Another possible result of HUS is kidney damage, which can lead to chronic or permanent kidney failure.

HUS syndrome is the most common cause of acute kidney failure among North American children. This life-threatening condition is usually treated in intensive care, sometimes with blood transfusions and kidney dialysis.

Approximately one-third of those with hemolytic uremic syndrome experience abnormal kidney function years later, and some may require long-term dialysis. Serious neurological complications of HUS can include decreased consciousness and seizures. Eight percent of hemolytic uremic syndrome cases result in lifelong complications such as high blood pressure, seizures, blindness, and paralysis.

If you or someone you love has become seriously ill from an E. coli 0157:H7 infection or any other foodborne illness, contact us for a free consultation regarding your legal rights and remedies. To learn about our senior partner, Fred Pritzker, please see E. coli: Lawyer and Attorney. You can reach Fred Pritzker by calling toll-free at 1-888-377-8900, e-mailing info@pritzkerlaw.com, or filling in our online consultation form.

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Non-O157 E. coli (Non-O157 STEC)

Non-O157 E. coli can cause serious injury and death, and yet ground beef contaminated with these strains of E. coli are not considered adulterated under federal law. The six most common strains of non-O157 E. coli include E. coli O26, E. coli O45, E. coli O103, E. coli O111, E. coli O121 and E. coli O145.

Steak E. coli Outbreak

Our E. coli lawyers are investigating cases of E. coli O157 that have been linked to steak served at restaurants in California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and Washington.

Recent Foodborne Outbreaks

Taco John's Lawsuit: Taco Johns food poisoning lawsuit information.
Taco Bell Lawsuit: Information about a Taco Bell food poisoning lawsuit.
Chipotle Lawsuit: Update on Chipotle food poisoning case and Chipotle lawsuit FAQ.
Subway Salmonellosis Lawsuit: 34 people were sickened, and 14 of those were hospitalized, all in Illinios.
Hartmann Dairy E coli Lawsuit Lawyer - 5 people, 4 of them children, contracted E. coli, and one of those developed HUS.
Freshway Foods lettuce lawsuit - We are representing one of the people who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Pasture Maid Creamery Campylobacter: Our lawyers are representing a man who was paralyzed with Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Peppa's E. coli Lawsuit - An E. coli outbreak in Hawaii associated with the restaurant.
Daniele Salami Lawsuit: Daniele salami (salame) has been linked to a Salmonella Montevideo outbreak.
Steak E. coli Outbreak: Over 20 people were sickened by blade-tenderized, non-intact steak.
Fairbank Farms Lawsuit: A multistate E. coli outbreak has been linked to Fairbank Farms hamburger.

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