Minnesota Department of Health: Protecting, maintaining improving the health of all Minnesotans.

E. coli O157:H7 and HUS
•	E. coli and HUS Home
•	Causes and Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7
•	Causes and Symptoms of HUS
•	Prevention
•	Statistics
•	For Health Professionals
External Links
•	CDC E. coli O157:H7

Foodborne Illness
•	Foodborne Illness Home
•	Causes and Symptoms
•	Preventing Foodborne Illness
•	Reporting Foodborne Illness
•	Restrictions on Food Workers and Child Care Attendance
•	Outbreaks
•	Statistics
•	For Health Professionals
More From MDH
•	Infectious Diseases A-Z
•	Infectious Diseases by Category
External Links
•	CDC Foodborne Illness

Causes and Symptoms of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)

In some persons, particularly children under 5 years of age and the elderly, an E. coli O157:H7 infection can also cause a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

About 2%-7% of E. coli O157:H7 infections lead to HUS.
With HUS Infection, the red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys fail.
In the United States, HUS is the principal cause of acute kidney failure in children, and most cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome are caused by E. coli O157:H7.

Fact Sheet

Escherichia coli O157:H7
CDC; Fact sheet answers some common questions about E. coli O157:H7 and HUS.Attention: Non-MDH link

Do you suspect that you have a foodborne illness? Visit reporting suspected foodborne illnesses.

Spotlight

Prevent Cross- Contamination
Preventing cross-contamination is a key factor in preventing foodborne illness.

Slow Cooker Safety
A safe slow cooker, cooks slow enough for unattended cooking, yet fast enough to keep food out of the bacterial danger zone.

Foodworker Illness Awareness
Workers who prepare food while experiencing diarrhea and/or vomiting are frequently linked to foodborne illness outbreaks in restaurants and other retail food outlets.

Refrigerator and Freezer Storage Chart
This chart gives short, conservative storage times to protect you from food spoilage (what you risk in long refrigeration) and from taste loss (what happens when food is left too long in the freezer).

Previous Spotlights

Health Officials Remind Minnesotans to Practice Healthy Swimming Behaviors this Summer
Germs on and in swimmers' bodies can make people sick; action steps can help prevent illness.

Protect others if you are experiencing diarrhea!
Anyone with a diarrheal illness should avoid swimming in public pools or lakes, sharing baths with others, and preparing food for others.

Young children (children in diapers) that are experiencing diarrhea should not be allowed to go swimming.

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Updated Friday, 31-Jul-2009 09:25:25 CDT