Five Kentucky children have been hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening condition that develops in some young children with E. coli infections, according to the Courier-Journal. The children, who are from three counties, are all being treated at Kosair Children’s Hospital.
The state health department is investigating the cluster of illnesses, but has not yet determined the source.
Kidney failure, seizure and stroke are all possible complications of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a condition that develops in about 15 percent of pediatric E. coli infections. Children under 10 are at most at risk for HUS because their immune systems have not fully developed. Blood transfusion or dialysis is sometimes used to treat patients with HUS including Brad Sutton, 5, who is part of a cluster of E. coli HUS cases in the Pacific Northwest.
Potential sources of E. coli include food especially undercooked meat and unpasteurized drinks, drinking water, swimming water and petting zoos. Symptoms of an E. coli infection, develop one to 10 days after exposure and include bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Anyone with a child experiencing these symptoms should see a doctor and bear in mind that E. coli infections are made worse by antibiotics.
Have they checked to see if they ate watermelon from Walmart? The children in Oregon who got E. coli all had common fact that they ate watermelon from the same store.
Sounds like its coming from the schools if it is only children getting infected!