98 Ill in New E.Coli Outbreak

 Posted on May 01, 2018 in Food poisoning attorney

A recent E.Coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce has 98 victims ill as of late April 2017. This number could be higher and continue to grow because there is typically a two-week period between when an individual begins to experience E.Coli poisoning symptoms and when he or she is recognized to be a victim of an outbreak.

This outbreak was linked to romaine lettuce grown in the Yuma, Arizona growing region. Food poisoning experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise consumers to avoid all romaine lettuce unless they can personally verify that it was not grown in the Yuma region. Restaurants and other food retailers have been advised not to sell romaine lettuce from the region.

Currently, 98 people from 22 states have fallen ill from consuming the contaminated lettuce. Although no deaths have been reported in conjunction with this outbreak, 46 people have been hospitalized. 10 of these hospitalized victims suffered from hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

E. Coli poisoning puts victims at risk of suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This is a serious illness caused by the destruction of red blood cells. It occurs when damaged red blood cells clog the kidneys, the body's filtering system, putting the victim at risk of potentially suffering from kidney damage.

HUS symptoms include:

• Fatigue;
• Pallor;
• Bloody diarrhea;
• Bloody urine;
• Decreased urination;
• Seizures; and
• High blood pressure.

HUS can also bring urine production to a complete halt. If an individual does not urinate for 12 hours or more, he or she needs emergency medical attention.

HUS is treatable, and patients typically make full recoveries. When it is left untreated, though, it can cause patients to suffer kidney failure. When this happens, HUS can be deadly.

What to do if You are Suffering From E.Coli Poisoning

Symptoms of E.Coli poisoning include:

• Vomiting;
• Severe stomach cramps; and
• Bloody diarrhea.

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, give yourself time to rest and be sure to take in plenty of fluids. For most adults with healthy immune systems, this is all the necessary treatment to overcome E.Coli poisoning. If your symptoms do not subside within a few days to a week, seek medical attention.

If your symptoms worsen or you begin to experience HUS symptoms, you will need hospital treatment that can include IV fluid replacement, kidney dialysis, or red blood cell and platelet transfusions.

Work with an Experienced Chicago Food Poisoning Lawyer

If you or your child have suffered from E.Coli or HUS because of another party's negligence, you could be entitled to recover monetary compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim. To learn more about pursuing compensation this way, contact our team of experienced food poisoning lawyers at Newland & Newland, LLP today to set up your legal consultation in our office. We serve clients in the Arlington Heights, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Libertyville, Mundelein, Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg, Elk Grove, and Itasca areas.

(image courtesy of Petra Cigale)