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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 protect yourself — and your children — from E. coli infection:
- 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). (Hamburgers should be well-done.)
- Wash fruits and vegetables under running water.
- Avoid unpasteurized milk, juice and cider.
- Avoid swimming in water potentially contaminated with feces.
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. National Institutes of Health: National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/childkidneydiseases/hemolytic_uremic_syndrome/. Accessed Sept. 10, 2008.
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/kidney/905.html. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
- Razzaq S. Hemolytic uremic syndrome: An emerging health risk. American Family Physician. 2006;74(6):991-996.
- Rose BD, et al. Diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
- Hemolytic-uremic syndrome. In: Betz CL. Mosby's Pediatric Nursing Reference. 6th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby/Elsevier; 2008:232-238.
- Steckelberg JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 17, 2008.
- Focus on ground beef. United States Department of Agriculture. www.fsis.usda.gov/Factsheets/Ground_Beef_and_Food_Safety/index.asp. Accessed Sept. 17, 2008.
