Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)
What is hemolytic uremic syndrome?
People with hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, get hemolytic anemia (which is a low red blood cell count), thrombocytopenia (which is a low platelet count) and renal failure (which is kidney damage). Most cases of HUS occur after a bacterial infection called E. coli . E. coli is short for Escherichia coli -- a common germ that people and many animals normally have in their digestive tract. But there are less common strains of E. coli that can cause severe digestive cramps and bloody diarrhea, or other problems. HUS develops when someone is infected by a strain of E. coli that produces a toxin that damages the lining of blood vessels. As red blood cells travel through the damaged vessels, they are often destroyed. This can lead to acute kidney failure, especially in children.
Who gets HUS?
Anyone can get HUS, but children are 3 times more likely to get it than adults.
How do you get HUS?
Most cases of HUS occur after an E. coli infection. You can catch E. coli infection by doing one of the following:
- Eating undercooked ground beef (the inside is pink)
- Drinking contaminated (impure) water
- Drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk
- Eating unwashed, contaminated raw vegetable and fruits
- Working with cattle
Healthy beef and dairy cattle may carry the E. coli germ in their intestines. The meat can get contaminated with the germ during the slaughtering process. When beef is ground up, the E. coli germs get mixed throughout the meat.
Ponds and lakes can also become contaminated with E coli. Sometimes contaminated water is unknowingly used to irrigate crops.
The most common way to get this infection is by eating undercooked hamburgers. You can be infected with the E. coli germ if you don't use a high temperature to cook your beef, or if you don't cook it long enough. When you eat undercooked beef, the germs go into your stomach and intestines.
The germ can also be passed from person to person in day care centers and nursing homes. If you have this infection and don't wash your hands well with soap after going to the bathroom, you can give the germ to other people when you touch things, especially food.
Ponds and lakes can also become contaminated with E coli. Sometimes contaminated water is unknowingly used to irrigate crops.
The most common way to get this infection is by eating undercooked hamburgers. You can be infected with the E. coli germ if you don't use a high temperature to cook your beef, or if you don't cook it long enough. When you eat undercooked beef, the germs go into your stomach and intestines.
The germ can also be passed from person to person in day care centers and nursing homes. If you have this infection and don't wash your hands well with soap after going to the bathroom, you can give the germ to other people when you touch things, especially food.
What are the symptoms of HUS?
Symptoms of HUS usually appear 5 to 10 days after the diarrhea starts. You should call your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Pale skin
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding
- Swelling of the face, hands, feet or any other part of the body
- Decreased urination
How is HUS treated?
Most people who get an E. coli infection won't get HUS. If you do develop HUS, will need to go to the hospital so that your doctor can monitor your kidney function and make sure you are hydrated. If you have hemolytic anemia, you may need to have a red blood cell transfusion. If you have thrombocytopenia, you may need a platelet transfusion. And if you have kidney failure, you may need dialysis. In dialysis, a machine is used to take waste products out of the blood. However, dialysis is only needed in the most severe cases.
Most people who develop HUS go on to make a full recovery.
Most people who develop HUS go on to make a full recovery.
How can I prevent HUS?
For your protection, follow these rules:
- Wash your hands carefully with soap before you start cooking.
- Cook ground beef until you see no pink anywhere.
- Don't taste small bites of raw ground beef while you're cooking.
- Don't put cooked hamburgers on a plate that had raw ground beef on it before.
- Cook all hamburgers to at least 155°F. A meat thermometer can help you test your hamburgers.
- In restaurants, always order hamburgers and steaks that are cooked well done so that no pink shows.
- Defrost meats in the refrigerator or the microwave. Don't let meat sit on the counter to defrost.
- Keep raw meat and poultry separate from other foods. Use hot water and soap to wash cutting boards and dishes if raw meat and poultry have touched them.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean water.
- Drink only clean water.
- Don't drink raw milk.
- Keep food refrigerated or frozen.
- Keep hot food hot and cold food cold.
- Refrigerate leftovers right away or throw them away.
- People with diarrhea should wash their hands carefully and often, using hot water and soap, and washing for at least 30 seconds.
- People who work in day care centers and homes for the elderly should wash their hands often, too.
- Do not swim in dirty lakes or rivers.
- Wash your hands well after petting farm animals.
More Information
Other Organizations
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National Kidney and Urologic Diseases
3 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20832-3580
1-800-891-5390
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National Kidney Foundation
30 East 33rd Street
New York, NY 10016
1-800-622-9010
Source
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: An Emerging Health Risk by S Razzaq, M.D. (American Family Physician September 15, 2006, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20060915/991.html)
Created: 12/06