Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) and E. coli
Alert: Toll House Cookie Recall Due to possible e. Coli Contamination!
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is usually caused by a foodborne illness and may lead to extremely severe health complications, including renal failure. It most commonly occurs in young children, although the elderly and immunocompromised are also particularly susceptible. HUS is almost always the result of an infection with E. coli bacteria, typically a potentially deadly strain known as E. coli O157:H7. E. coli is a bacterium that is naturally found in the intestines of animals. The E. coli present in an animal’s digestive system and feces can contaminate food in several ways, including:
- During the slaughtering process - thus contaminating flesh products. In some cuts of meat, E. coli is limited to the surface; in ground beef, one of the most common sources of E. coli poisoning, the grinding process spreads the E. coli throughout the meat.
- Through feces-contaminated water - thus contaminating whatever comes into contact with the water. Vegetable and fruit E. coli contamination often occurs when feces-contaminated water from an animal farm runs into a nearby produce field.
A child may ingest E. coli from contaminated food products, usually undercooked ground beef, raw unpasteurized milk, or contaminated raw produce (unpasteurized apple juice, unwashed vegetables, etc.). Drinking contaminated water or swimming in an infested lake or pond can also cause an E. coli infection.
Symptoms of an E. coli Infection
Most E. coli infections present symptoms after approximately 2 to 5 days. Typical symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramps
- Watery or bloody diarrhea
- Fever
- Fatigue
From E. coli to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Once ingested, some strains of E. coli will produce a toxic substance known as Shiga toxin inside the digestive system of the human body. Shiga toxin producing E. coli binds to the cells lining the large intestine, and these poisonous substances thus gain access to circulating blood. The toxins spread to various organs where they can inflict much damage. They deform and destroy red blood cells, which then clog the tiny blood vessels of the kidneys, hindering the normal filtering function of the kidneys and possibly eventually leading to renal failure. Thes misshapen red blood cells - and anemia, which is the lack of healthy red blood cells - can harm the heart, brain, liver, and other organs as well. Thrombocytes, the blood’s clotting cells, are also destroyed, which can lead to bruises and uninhibited bleeding.
Symptoms of HUS usually occur 5 to 10 days after the start of diarrhea, and include:
- Paleness, fatigue, and irritability
- Small, unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose or mouth
- Swelling of the face, hands, feet, or entire body
- High blood pressure
- Decreased urine output or bloody urine
Treatment of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Treatment of HUS aims to ease the immediate symptoms and prevent further problems by seeking to maintain an appropriate salt/water balance in the body. Over time, a patient with HUS may need red blood cell and thrombocyte (platelet) infusions, dialysis, and kidney transplants.
Prevention of E. coli Infection and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
While most children who develop hemolytic uremic syndrome survive the experience, they suffer tremendously from its symptoms and often develop life-long health problems.
Prevention of most cases of HUS is possible through the reduction of the spread of E. coli bacteria. Hand washing, clean and safe preparation of food, and cooking foods - especially ground beef - to a high enough temperature (160F for ground beef) are all ways to prevent the ingestion of dangerous E. coli. Ideally, though, our food supply would be free of E. coli contamination before it ever gets into our kitchens or our plates. Improving our food safety system with high industry standards, attentive regulation, and effective legislation can help protect our children from the misery of hemolytic uremic syndrome.
- Injuries
- Accidents
- Offshore / Maritime
- Dangerous Drugs & Products
- Food Poisoning
- Nursing Home Neglect
Personal injury is a legal term that describes a serious injury suffered by one person that is caused by the negligence or wrongful actions of another. Negligence or wrongful conduct can happen in the form of a car accident, medical malpractice, maritime accidents, or dangerous products.
Whether you were hurt in a car wreck, on an oil rig or suffered harm from a prescription drug, your first priority is medical treatment – but you may be confused about your next steps. If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt, an experienced personal injury attorney can be a vital resource for providing knowledgeable, no-nonsense advice about your legal options. The personal injury attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have been helping injury victims for more than two decades – and we’re ready to work for you. Contact us today at 1-800-256-1050 or submit an online request.
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Vehicle accidents are among the most common causes of personal injury in Louisiana. In 2008, there were thousands of car accidents, including 827 fatal traffic collisions – causing the death of 920 people. Considering that most of us must use a vehicle to travel to our jobs, our schools, stores and home, we are all at risk for becoming involved in a vehicle accident at some point in our lives.
The vehicle accident attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have devoted the past 25 years to representing injury victims in Alexandria, Baton Rouge and across the state of Louisiana. We know that even the slightest mistake can quickly turn into a tragic accident – and if you’ve been hurt because of someone else’s negligence on the roads, you have the right to file for financial compensation. Contact us at 1-800-256-1050 or submit an online request for a free evaluation of your claim.
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Maritime law is the area of our legal system that covers incidents that occur on the water. Maritime law encompasses individuals who are injured on a boat as a member of the crew or a passenger. It also covers longshoremen, offshore oil field workers and many other individuals injured on a boat, rig or dock.
The Maritime Law attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have been providing knowledge and experience to law firms across the country in the area of maritime law for more than a quarter of a century. If you or a loved one has been hurt while working in a maritime profession, contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 today or submit an online request.
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Dangerous drugs and dangerous medical products can often do more harm than the disease or condition they are treating. Despite FDA regulations, many products slip by with unknown and harmful side effects that could be caused by a flaw in design or production. Sometimes these side effects are known by the company, but the product is pushed through in order to avoid delays and make profit.
If you have been hurt by a prescription drug or other pharmaceutical product, the best thing that you can do for yourself and other patients is to come forward. The pharmaceutical litigation lawyers at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault of Louisiana know how to deal with the big drug companies and we work hard to help ensure that the injured receive justice. Contact us today at 1-800-256-1050 or submit an online request. We handle pharmaceutical litigation claims across the state of Louisiana including Alexandria and Baton Rouge.
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Foodborne illnesses are highly preventable, yet they are very common in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 325,000 people are hospitalized due to food poisoning and more than 5,000 die. Poor preparation and improper handling of food can expose thousands of people to dangerous diseases such as botulism, campylobacterioses, e.coli, listeria and salmonella.
If you or someone you love has become seriously ill due to contaminated food, contact the Louisiana food poisoning attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault today. We have represented thousands of personal injury victims including victims of food poisoning. Call 1-800-256-1050 today or submit an online request. We represent victims across the state of Louisiana including Alexandria and Baton Rouge.
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It is a difficult and emotional decision to place a mother, father or grandparent in a nursing home. When you do, you expect that your loved ones will experience the highest level of care possible. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. No matter how carefully you choose and investigate a nursing home facility, nursing home neglect, abuse and mistreatment do occur.
The nursing home negligence attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have spent the past 25 years representing injury victims across the state. Our lawyers have represented thousands of people suffering from nursing home negligence, and we understand the serious complications that can result. If your loved one has experienced nursing home negligence, contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 today or submit an online request. We handle nursing home neglect cases from Alexandria, Baton Rouge and across Louisiana.
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