How to Protect Yourself From Hamburger Disease

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), sometimes referred to as hamburger disease, is a life-threatening condition that damages the kidneys. HUS destroys clotting cells (thrombocytopenia) and red blood cells (hemolytic anemia). The destruction of these cells causes buildup in the small blood vessels and tubules of the kidneys, which leads to renal failure — the kidneys shutting down. HUS usually affects children between the ages of 1 to 10 years, but can also occur in adults. HUS affects approximately two in 100,000 people.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome often occurs after a person has been infected with the O157:H7 strain of E. coli, which is most often picked from contaminated food or water. Infections with this strain of E.coli are nicknamed hamburger disease because the strain can be found in undercooked red meat. Other strains of E.coli may cause HUS, too.

HUS can also occur in response to other germs, pregnancy, or certain medicines. In rare cases, the cause might be undeterminable. When adults have HUS, it’s typically due to something other than foodborne illness. Your genetics may also be at play, causing atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome –– an inherited condition.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome occurs after stomach flu (gastroenteritis) that may include vomiting, fever, and bloody diarrhea. Two to 14 days later, the condition begins with symptoms like:

• Sudden paleness (pallor) and irritability
• Restlessness
• Decreased urination
• Bloody urine
• Little purple bruises on the skin
• Increased blood pressure
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Swelling of the face, hands, feet, or body

HUS is diagnosed through blood, urine, and stool tests. Blood tests will look for low red blood cell and platelet counts, as well as high levels of creatinine. Urine tests will check for high levels of protein and the presence of blood. Stool tests will look for bacteria like E.coli. Doctors may also do a kidney biopsy if the other tests are inconclusive.

If you have hamburger disease, you will need to be admitted to a hospital for treatment. Medical care is provided for kidney failure and may include dialysis, blood transfusions (to return the blood to normal), high blood pressure medicine, and a special diet. Intravenous immunoglobulin G (IgG) may also be given. It is not clear whether antibiotics can help treat the disease. Unfortunately, 4- to 5-percent of patients will not survive, and many more will develop long-term health problems.

For people with long-term kidney damage, your doctor may recommend taking blood pressure medications or following a low-protein diet to decrease your risks of further kidney damage.

You can protect yourself and your children from getting foodborne illnesses by:

• Cooking all ground beef and poultry thoroughly. Send restaurant food back to the kitchen if it's not cooked well.
• Avoiding unpasteurized juices or milk
• Refrigerating ground beef and perishable food immediately after shopping
• Washing your hands and food utensils with hot, soapy water after handling meat and poultry