Alabama health officials are investigating six illnesses reported among young children in Northeastern Alabama. Four children have developed E. coli O157:H7 infections and two of them were sickened by Rotavirus.
Rotavirus and E. coli have similar symptoms including abdominal cramps and diarrhea that can be watery or bloody.
E. coli O157:H7
A handful of other E. coli strains produce a substance called Shiga toxin which is poisonous to humans and causes severe illness. Symptoms of an E. coli infection, which include abdominal cramps and diarrhea that can be bloody, usually develop within three days of exposure. Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications and antibiotics should not be given to patients with E. coli infections as they can increase the chance of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
HUS is a potentially fatal complication that affects between 5 percent and 10 percent of E. coli patients. Most often it affects children under 5. HUS symptoms usually develop a week after initial E. coli symptoms. Anyone who develops HUS symptoms should seek immediate emergency care. HUS symptoms include:
- Pale skin
- Extreme fatigue
- Bloody diarrhea
- Unexplained bruising
- Swelling in legs, feet, or ankles
- Shortness of breath
- Decreased urination
- Bleeding from the nose or mouth
- Seizures
- Stroke
E. coli Lawsuit Consultation
Pritzker Hageman E. coli lawyers have represented clients in every major E. coli outbreak in the U.S. Our clients have included those who battled HUS and families who have suffered the wrongful death of a loved one. If you would like a free consultation with an experienced E. coli lawyer, please contact the Pritzker Hageman E. coli Legal Team. You can reach us by calling 1-888-377-8900, sending a text to 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below. There is no obligation and you don’t pay us unless we win.
E. coli bacteria under a magnification of 6836x