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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffSpecific preventive measures for hemolytic uremic syndrome aren't clear. However, it's always a good idea to take precautions against E. coli, and other foodborne illnesses. It's important to note that meat or produce contaminated with E. coli won't necessarily look, feel or smell bad. Things you can do that will help reduce your risk of foodborne illness:
- Wash your hands, utensils and food surfaces often.
- Keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods.
- Defrost raw meat in your microwave or refrigerator. (Don't leave meat on the counter to thaw.)
- Thoroughly cook ground beef to at least 160 F (71 C) throughout. Check the temperature of the meat with a thermometer.
- Wash fruits and vegetables under running water.
- Avoid unpasteurized milk, juice and cider.
- Avoid swimming in water potentially contaminated with feces, and don't swim if you have diarrhea.
Also make sure that everyone in your family — including children — washes his or her hands after using the toilet or changing diapers and before eating. In child care facilities, diapers shouldn't be changed or disposed of in the same room where food is prepared or eaten.
- 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.
- Piercefield EW, et al. Hemolytic uremic syndrome after an Escherichia coli O111 outbreak. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2010;170:1656.
- 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.
- George JN. Causes of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 22, 2010.
- 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.
- Noris M, et al. Atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine. 2009;361:1676.
- 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.
- 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.
- Scheiring J, et al. Today's understanding of the haemolytic uraemic syndrome. European Journal of Pediatrics. 2010;169:17.
- 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.
- Pigott DC. Foodborne illness. Emergency Medical Clinics of North America. 2008;26:475.
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