Treatment of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Treatment and E. coli-Related HUS Lawsuits

Most cases of hemolytic uremic poisoning are caused by an underlying E. coli infection, usually E. coli O157:H7. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) patients, if they survive, can take weeks or months to recover. The medical bills, loss of income and other financial burdens can be overwhelmeng. Even more overwhelming is the emotional stress involved in being sick or helplessly watching a loved one struggle for his or her life.

Pritzker | Ruohonen, one of the leading E. coli litigation law firms in the United States, is currently representing E. coli victims and their families in cases involving restaurants, ground beef, lettuce and spinach. In two of our current cases, the firm is representing the families of women who died from E. coli-related hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). To contact an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's online consultation form.

Treatment of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome—Diagnosis
The treatment of hemolytic uremic syndrome starts with diagnosis. diagnosis requires testing:

Lab tests are available
Suspect food can be tested
Anyone with sudden, bloody diarrhea should be tested

A clinical diagnosis of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) would have to be based on laboratory testing and/or a biopsy of the kidney, in combination with observation for typical symptoms of HUS. Because most cases of HUS follow an E. coli 0157:H7 infection, the testing for hemolytic uremic syndrome is similar to the procedure for diagnosing E. coli 0157:H7.

If you suspect you or a family member may have been infected with E. coli, you or your loved one should go to the doctor and be tested. This is important for your health and will be essential for preserving any legal rights and remedies you may have. The health care provider will use laboratory tests to identify E. coli in your stool.

Ask Specifically for the Lab to Test for E. coli 0157: H7
Prior to 1993, most detection procedures looked for generic E. coli in foods but did not specifically look for the presence of E. coli O157: H7. As a result, most labs did not test stools for E. coli O157: H7 as a routine practice. Though most health care providers now know to look for E. coli O157: H7, especially if you have bloody diarrhea, it is nevertheless important that you ask that your stool be tested for E. coli O157:H7 using sorbitol-MacConkey (SMAC) agar. In addition, if you believe you know the source of the infections—for example, from a contaminated piece of food—you may be able to have the source tested in a lab as well.

Treatment of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: Kidney Biopsy
Because hemolytic uremic syndrome is often associated with kidney damage, a kidney biopsy can help determine if you have the illness. The presence of E. coli or another foodborne pathogen in the patient's intestine, accompanied by damage to the blood vessels of the kidney, are usually enough to constitute a clinical diagnosis of HUS.

Treatment of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: Intensive Care
Most people do recover fully from hemolytic uremic syndrome, although it may take weeks or months. Because it is a life-threatening condition, it is most often treated in an intensive care unit. With intensive care, the death rate for HUS can be reduced to three to five< percent.

Blood transfusions, including red cells and platelets, are often given as needed. Plasma exchange is often used, especially in the case of an associated condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Kidney dialysis is often necessary for hemolytic uremic syndrome victims with serious kidney damage. Corticosteroids and aspirin are the medications most often prescribed.

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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