What are the signs and symptoms of HUS and kidney failure?
With HUS, the child remains pale, tired, and irritable. Other signs include small, unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose or mouth that may occur because the toxins also destroy the platelets, cells that normally help the blood to clot. Signs and symptoms of HUS may not become apparent until a week after the digestive problems have occurred. More than half of children with HUS develop acute kidney failure. With kidney failure, the child’s urine output decreases. The urine may also appear red. Urine formation slows because the damaged red blood cells clog the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys, making them work harder to remove wastes and extra fluid from the blood. The body’s inability to rid itself of excess fluid and wastes may in turn cause high blood pressure or swelling of the face, hands, feet, or entire body. Parents or guardians should call the child’s doctor immediately if the child has unexplained bruises, unusual bleeding, swollen limbs or generalized swelling, extreme
