Diseases

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

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Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a disease characterized by a triad of hemolytic anemia (anemia caused by destruction of red blood cells), acute kidney failure (uremia), and a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).

SYMPTOMS

Bloody diarrhea.
Decreased urination or blood in the urine.
Abdominal pain, vomiting and occasionally fever.
Pallor.
Small, unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose and mouth.
Fatigue and irritability.
Confusion or seizures.
High blood pressure.

CAUSES

The most common cause of hus — particularly in children under the age of 5 — isinfection with e. coli bacteria that produce certain toxins (shiga toxin-producing e. coli or stec). One such strain of e. coli is known as e. coli o157:h7. Other strains of e. coli have also been linked to hus .