Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)

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By Mayo Clinic staff

Because most people with hemolytic uremic syndrome are admitted to the hospital after a trip to the emergency room or following a brief phone call or visit with their doctors, it's not likely that you or your child will have a routine office visit.

However, if you or your child is experiencing symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome after several days of diarrhea, call your doctor immediately and be prepared to answer these questions:

  • Have you noticed blood in your or your child's diarrhea?
  • What other signs and symptoms — such as fever, swelling or decreased urine output — have you or your child experienced?
  • How long have you or your child been experiencing these symptoms?
  • How long has it been since you or your child urinated?
References
  1. Hemolytic uremic syndrome in children. National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/childkidneydiseases/hemolytic_uremic_syndrome/hemolyticuremic.pdf. Accessed Oct. 22, 2010.
  2. Piercefield EW, et al. Hemolytic uremic syndrome after an Escherichia coli O111 outbreak. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2010;170:1656.
  3. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic-uremic syndrome. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec11/ch133/ch133g.html. Accessed Oct. 22, 2010.
  4. George JN. Causes of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 22, 2010.
  5. Niaudet P. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Shiga-like toxin associated (typical) hemolytic uremic syndrome in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 22, 2010.
  6. Noris M, et al. Atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine. 2009;361:1676.
  7. Foodborne illness: Frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/files/foodborne_illness_FAQ.pdf. Accessed Oct. 22, 2010.
  8. Elliott MM, et al. Interventions for haemolytic uraemic syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (Review). Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews. 2009:CD003595.http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews. Accessed Oct. 22, 2010.
  9. Scheiring J, et al. Today's understanding of the haemolytic uraemic syndrome. European Journal of Pediatrics. 2010;169:17.
  10. Nast CC, et al. Thrombotic microangiopathies. In: Lerma EV, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Nephrology & Hypertension. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6336929. Accessed Oct. 22, 2010.
  11. Pigott DC. Foodborne illness. Emergency Medical Clinics of North America. 2008;26:475.
DS00876 Dec. 18, 2010

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