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Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Did your loved one develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) after contracting an E. coli infection? Would you like information about compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering and other damages?

CONTACT AN ATTORNEY ABOUT E. COLI-RELATED HEMOLYTIC UREMIC SYNDROME (HUS) LAWSUITS >>

E coli BacteriaPritzker Olsen, P.A., one of the leading E. coli litigation law firms in the United States, is currently representing E. coli victims who developed HUS. Our law firm has a national reputation in this area, and we represent E. coli victims throughout the United States. To contact a lawyer at our law firm for a free consultation, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free), email our lawyers or submit our online consultation form.

What is Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome?
Hemolytic uremic syndrome—pronounced HEE-mo-LIT-ik yoo-REE-mik syndrome—is an illness that most commonly occurs in the aftermath of food poisoning, particularly infection from E. coli bacteria.  Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) usually affects children under the age of 10 but adolescents and adults can get HUS as well.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome 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. Complications of HUS are severe and 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)
  • Death, usually from uremia (see above)

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, E. coli and Foodborne Illness
E. coli BacteriaMost cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome are preceded by gastrointestinal illness, often from a foodborne germ that causes bloody diarrhea. These cases of HUS are referred to as Typical HUS. The most common microorganisms associated with Typical HUS are Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli) and Shigella, although it seems that nearly any infection that results in bloody diarrhea could lead to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. The majority of HUS cases result from E. coli contamination of food like meat, dairy products, and juice. According to some studies, as many as 15 percent of children who are infected with E. coli develope hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Kidney Damage in Children from Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Caused by E. Coli
Most patients with hemolytic uremic syndrome experience complete recovery and nearly no risk of recurring symptoms. With careful and aggressive medical attention, the risk of fatality due to HUS is less than four percent. Up to 30 percent of the children who survive hemolytic uremic syndrome, however, will be left with permanent damage to their kidneys. Children who recover usually do so quickly, while afflicted adults may experience longer recovery times since kidney damage is usually more extensive in adult HUS cases.

Recent studies show that hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by E. coli infection is now the most common cause of renal failure for children in the U.S. It is recommended that people who recover from HUS undergo long-term follow-up and observation to monitor for the potential onset of chronic kidney disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), and chronic neurologic damage.

Approximately 7,500 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome are diagnosed each year in the U.S. --similar to the rate of incidence for leukemia in the general population--but until all fifty states classify HUS as a reportable disease, an accurate rate of incidence will be impossible to determine.

Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Although much more rare, atypical HUS, characterized by many of the same symptoms and risks that are common to Typical HUS, will sometimes follow the use of certain drugs, pregnancy or cancer. Rather than being caused by an external agent--such as a foodborne pathogen--these cases of HUS seem to be caused by some internal factor. One theory suggests that some people have a genetic weakness—that means their bodies do not make a protein or enzyme which is crucial to resisting hemolytic uremic syndrome. An important distinction between Typical and atypical HUS concerns the severity and likelihood of recurrence of the symptoms. Although Typical HUS often starts with more severe symptoms, atypical HUS often has lingering effects.

Links to More Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome and E. coli Information
For more HUS information, please read the following:

If you or someone you love has become seriously ill from food poisoning, contact us for a free consultation about an E. coli-HUS lawsuit. You can reach one of our lawyers 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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