HUS Symptoms and Diagnosis

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can be a difficult diagnosis because its symptoms are similar to other gastroenterological diseases such as acute abdomen, acute gastroenteritis, appendicitis, colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, Lupus, intussusception and thrombotic thrombocytopenia. HUS typically develops between 3-14 days after the bloody diarrhea appears in shiga-toxin producing E. coli O157:H7 (STEC) infections.

Symptoms include (1):

• Non-bloody diarrhea
• Abdominal Cramping
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Low or no fever
• Rectal prolapse (walls of rectum protrude through anus and are visible outside the body) with colitis (the membrane of the rectal wall is inflamed). This occurs in about 10% of cases of HUS (2)

Clinically, HUS is characterized by three main features: microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure (1). Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia means that red blood cells (carry oxygen) are destroyed in damaged small blood vessels, resulting in a low red blood cell count. Thrombocytopenia indicates a low platelet count and results from entrapment of the platelets in organs (1). Acute renal failure means that the kidney function is severely impaired. Kidneys are important in removing waste and maintaining homeostasis in bodily fluids. Failure of the kidneys is recognized by the build up of waste products such as urea and creatinine (3).

Sources:

1. Razzaq S. 2006. Hemolytic uremic syndrome: an emerging health risk. Am Fam Phys. 74:6:991-996.

2. Walker WA. Pediatric Gastrointestinal Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management. 4th ed. Hamilton, Ontario: BC Decker, 2004.

3 Tarr PI, Gordon CA, Chandlre WL. 2005. Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli and haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Lancet. 365:1087-1100.

---

TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY AT PRITZKER | RUOHONEN REVIEW YOUR E. COLI CASE, PLEASE SUBMIT THE FORM BELOW. YOU MAY ALSO CALL 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL-FREE) OR EMAIL ATTORNEY FRED PRITZKER.

• Experienced

  Our law firm has represented victims of E. coli outbreaks involving ground beef, spinach and lettuce. We have also handled cases involving restaurants, including cases where health officials could not pinpoint the food served at the restaurant that was responsible for the illnesses. We also have represented the families of people who died from the complications of an E. coli infection, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

• Respected

  Our lawyers have gained a national reputation in this area and have been interviewed by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, TV stations and others. In recognition of their accomplishments, Pritzker | Ruohonen lawyers Fred Pritzker, Rich Ruohonen and Elliot Olsen have been named "Super Lawyers" by Law & Politics.

• Advocates

  For most of our clients, the goal of an E. coli lawsuit is not only just compensation, but also to send a message to food manufacturers, food retailers, restaurants and others that food safety matters. We support our clients in this and take measures to advocate for needed changes on the federal and state levels.