What is Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome?

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is an illness in which the red blood cells become damaged or destroyed causing anemia (low number of red blood cells), and the kidney becomes damaged causing it to fail to function properly. Blood clotting problems also may occur.

Who gets Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome?

Most cases of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome follow a gastrointestinal illness characterized by bloody diarrhea. The most common microorganisms associated with post-diarrheal Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome are Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Shigella. The syndrome may also follow the use of some drugs, or follow pregnancy or cancer.

How is Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome spread?

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is not spread from person to person nor is it spread through contaminated food. However, the organisms which are associated with post-diarrheal Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome may be spread from person to person through an infected individual who has poor personal hygiene or through food which has become contaminated with one of the associated organisms. However, most individuals who become infected with one of those organisms will not develop post-diarrheal Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. It is not known why a few individuals who become infected with one of these organisms develop post-diarrheal Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome.

What are the symptoms of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome?

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is usually preceeded by an episode of bloody diarrhea. Abdominal pain,fever and vomiting may also be present. At about the time the diarrhea is getting better, the patient develops the further symptoms of post-diarrheal Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. These are weakness, tiredness, pallor (pale skin due to anemia or blood loss) and decreased urine output and/or dark urine.

How soon do symptoms occur?

Symptoms of post-diarrheal Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome usually appear within 1 week of the onset of the diarrheal illness, but may vary from 1 to 14 days.

How is Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome diagnosed?

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Amebiasis is diagnosed by laboratory examination of the blood and urine.

What is the treatment for Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome?

All patients with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome require hospitalization until their kidney function recovers. Dialysis may be needed until that time. Other treatments may be required depending upon whether other complications develop, either from the anemia or from other organ involvement (such as diabetes if the pancreas becomes involved). Most patients recover normal kidney function after about a week, although kidney testing will often show some small permanent decrease in kidney function capacity.

How long is an infected person infectious to others?

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is not spread from person to person. However, the organisms which are associated with post-diarrheal Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome may be spread from person to person through poor personal hygiene. These organisms may be passed in the stool of an infected person for one to 4 weeks (and sometimes longer) after the onset of the diarrheal illness.

How can Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome be prevented?

There are no known measures which can directly prevent Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. However, there are measures which can be taken to prevent becoming ill with the organisms that can cause post-diarrheal Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. These are:

• Practice good handwashing habits after going to the bathroom, before preparing meals, and before eating.
  
• Practice good handwashing after changing diapers.
• Thoroughly cook ground beef and other ground meats which may be unknowingly contaminated with E. coli.
• Wash fresh fruit and produce carefully if it is to be eaten raw.

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