Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS) in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is a rare but serious condition that most often affects young children. In Grand Rapids and across Michigan, HUS is usually triggered by infection with a toxic strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli), most commonly E. coli O157:H7. These bacteria release toxins that can damage the kidneys and blood vessels.

Local hospitals in Grand Rapids—such as Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health—regularly evaluate and treat children with severe diarrheal illness and kidney problems that may be related to HUS.

What Is Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome?

HUS is a condition that typically develops after a gastrointestinal infection. It is characterized by three main problems:

  • Destruction of red blood cells (haemolysis)
  • Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
  • Acute kidney injury (uraemia)

In West Michigan, many cases of HUS follow infection with Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STEC), often acquired from contaminated food, water, or animal contact.

E. Coli and HUS: What Grand Rapids Families Should Know

Most E. coli Are Harmless

E. coli are common bacteria normally found in the intestines of humans and warm‑blooded animals. Most strains are harmless and are part of the normal gut flora.

Dangerous Strains: EHEC, STEC, and VTEC

Some strains, however, are dangerous. These are called:

  • Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)
  • Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STEC)
  • Verotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC)

These strains produce powerful toxins that can cause:

  • Severe abdominal cramps
  • Gastroenteritis with blood in the stool (bloody diarrhea)
  • In some patients, progression to HUS

STEC are commonly found in the intestines of cattle and other farm animals. They can also be carried by humans without causing symptoms, which means the bacteria can spread silently within households or childcare settings.

In Michigan, where agriculture and livestock are common and many families enjoy outdoor activities, fairs, and petting zoos, opportunities for exposure to STEC are higher, especially in warmer months.

Who Is at Risk of HUS in Grand Rapids?

  • Children under five years of age are at the greatest risk of developing HUS after a STEC infection.
  • Infants under one year and children older than five years may have a higher risk of severe complications or death when HUS occurs.
  • Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are also at increased risk of severe illness.

In the Grand Rapids area, families with young children who attend daycare, visit farms, or swim in lakes and rivers (including Lake Michigan beaches and inland lakes) should be especially aware of STEC and HUS.

How E. Coli Infections Spread in West Michigan

STEC infections that can lead to HUS are often linked to:

  • Eating undercooked beef, especially ground or minced beef (e.g., burgers)
  • Drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk or unpasteurized dairy products
  • Eating contaminated raw produce, such as:
    • Lettuce
    • Spinach
    • Sprouts
    • Other salad greens
    • Certain ready‑to‑eat meats like salami if not properly processed
  • Drinking contaminated water, including:
    • Untreated water from lakes or rivers
    • Private wells that are not tested or treated
  • Swimming or playing in contaminated water, such as:
    • Lakes and rivers around Grand Rapids and West Michigan
    • Pools or splash pads with poor sanitation
  • Contact with farm animals, including:
    • Cattle, goats, sheep, and other animals at farms, petting zoos, and fairs
  • Close contact with an infected person, especially:
    • Changing diapers
    • Helping a child with toileting
    • Caring for someone with diarrhea

Only a small number of bacteria are needed to cause illness, which is why careful hygiene and food safety are essential.

Symptoms of STEC Infection and HUS

Early Symptoms (STEC Infection)

Symptoms usually appear 2 to 8 days after swallowing the bacteria, most often around day 3–4. They include:

  • Crampy abdominal pain
  • Watery diarrhea that often becomes bloody
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Low‑grade fever or no fever

This diarrheal illness (sometimes called haemorrhagic colitis) usually lasts about a week.

Progression to HUS

About 10% of patients with STEC infection, especially young children, may go on to develop HUS. This typically occurs about a week after the onset of diarrhea.

Warning signs that may suggest HUS is developing:

  • Child becomes unusually tired, pale, or lethargic
  • Decreasing urine output (oliguria) or no urine at all
  • Swelling of the face, hands, or feet
  • Easy bruising or bleeding (including small red or purple spots on the skin)
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Irritability or confusion

Key Features and Complications of HUS

Common features of HUS include:

  • Oliguria (reduced urine production), often lasting about a week
  • Temporary absence of urine in some children
  • Bleeding into the skin (small spots or larger bruises)
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes due to red blood cell breakdown)
  • Seizures – occur in about 20% of children with HUS

Possible long‑term effects and complications:

  • Mild, chronic kidney damage
  • Permanent kidney failure requiring long‑term dialysis or transplant
  • Stroke (HUS is a significant cause of stroke in infants and young children)
  • Death – about 5% of children with HUS may die, even with treatment

Because HUS can progress quickly, any child in Grand Rapids with bloody diarrhea and decreased urination should be evaluated urgently at a local emergency department, such as Spectrum Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

How HUS Is Treated in Grand Rapids Hospitals

HUS is a medical emergency. Treatment in Grand Rapids is typically provided in hospital, often in a pediatric unit or intensive care unit for children.

Management is largely supportive and may include:

  • Careful fluid and electrolyte replacement
  • Treatment of anemia, which may require:
    • Blood transfusions
  • Management of high blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Control of seizures, if they occur
  • Early use of dialysis to support kidney function when needed

There is no specific antibiotic treatment that cures HUS, and in some cases antibiotics can worsen the release of toxins from E. coli. Treatment focuses on supporting the body while the kidneys and blood system recover.

Preventing E. Coli and HUS in Grand Rapids, MI

With Michigan’s mix of cold winters, warm summers, and popular outdoor activities, prevention focuses on both food safety and environmental hygiene.

Food Safety at Home and in Restaurants

  • Thoroughly cook raw meat
    • Cook ground or minced beef (burgers, meatloaf, tacos) until no part is pink and juices run clear.
    • Use a food thermometer; ground beef should reach at least 160°F (71°C).
  • Avoid cross‑contamination
    • Do not handle raw and cooked foods with the same utensils (tongs, knives, cutting boards) unless they have been washed thoroughly with hot soapy water between uses.
  • Do not drink unpasteurized milk
    • Only drink pasteurized milk, juice, and cider, including products from local farms and markets.
  • Be cautious with high‑risk foods
    • Young children should avoid:
      • Undercooked meats
      • Unpasteurized milk or juices
      • Raw or undercooked sprouts
      • Meat products like salami or cured meats that are not pasteurized or fully cooked

Water Safety in Michigan’s Lakes and Rivers

  • Do not drink untreated water from lakes, rivers, or streams, even if it looks clean.
  • If your home uses a private well, have it tested regularly, especially after flooding or heavy rains.
  • When swimming in Lake Michigan or inland lakes and rivers:
    • Avoid swallowing water.
    • Keep children with diarrhea out of pools, splash pads, and natural swimming areas.

Handwashing and Animal Contact

  • Thoroughly wash hands after:
    • Using the bathroom or changing diapers
    • Handling raw meat
    • Visiting farms, petting zoos, or county fairs
    • Gardening or playing in soil or sand
  • Use soap and running water and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer is helpful but does not replace proper handwashing when hands are visibly dirty.

Protecting Young Children

  • Children under five in Grand Rapids are at highest risk of HUS. To protect them:
    • Supervise handwashing, especially after animal contact and before eating.
    • Do not give them undercooked meat or unpasteurized milk or juice.
    • Keep sick children with diarrhea home from daycare or school until cleared by a healthcare provider.

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

Seek immediate medical care (emergency department or urgent care) if:

  • Your child has bloody diarrhea
  • There is decreasing urine output or no urine for 6–8 hours in a young child
  • Your child is very tired, pale, or difficult to wake
  • You notice unusual bruising, bleeding, or a rash of small red or purple spots
  • Your child has seizures, confusion, or severe headache

Contact your Grand Rapids primary care provider or pediatrician promptly if your child has:

  • Diarrhea lasting more than 2–3 days
  • Fever with abdominal pain and vomiting
  • Recent exposure to undercooked meat, unpasteurized milk, or contaminated water

Local Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

Residents of Grand Rapids and Kent County can access:

  • Primary care and pediatric clinics at:
    • Spectrum Health
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health
    • Mercy Health
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health for:
    • Information on E. coli outbreaks
    • Food safety and water testing guidance
    • Reporting suspected foodborne illness

If you suspect an infectious disease outbreak or need public health guidance, you can contact local infectious disease services or your local health department.

Key Points About HUS in Grand Rapids

  • Toxic strains of E. coli (EHEC/STEC), which can cause bloody diarrhea, are the main cause of HUS in children.
  • Children under five years of age are at greatest risk of developing HUS.
  • E. coli are common bacteria normally found in the gut of warm‑blooded animals, but some strains produce dangerous toxins.
  • Symptoms usually appear 2–8 days after exposure to the bacteria.
  • HUS can cause kidney failure, stroke, seizures, and death, but early recognition and hospital care in Grand Rapids can improve outcomes.
  • Careful food handling, handwashing, safe water use, and avoiding unpasteurized products are key to preventing E. coli infection and HUS in West Michigan.