Hemolytic uremic syndrome

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a condition that can occur when the small blood vessels in your kidneys become damaged and inflamed. In many cases, HUS is caused by infection with certain strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. The first symptom of this form of HUS is several days of diarrhea, which is often, but not always, bloody. It is commonly contracted through contact with infected feces, eating under-cooked and raw beef, drinking unpasteurized milk or milk products, and not following proper food preparation procedures.