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Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)

7-minute read

Go to the emergency department if you or your child is passing very little urine (wee) or has unusual bleeding or bruises after having bloody diarrhoea and stomach pain. If you can't get to hospital, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

Key facts

  • Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is a rare, life-threatening illness where your kidneys stop working properly.
  • It begins with abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea and later causes bleeding and difficulty passing urine.
  • HUS is most common in children younger than 5 years.
  • HUS is most commonly caused by an infection from a type of coli bacteria.
  • If you have HUS, you will need treatment in hospital as it is a medical emergency.

What is HUS?

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is a rare but serious illness that can be life-threatening. It is most often caused by a bacterial infection.

HUS causes inflammation and clots in the blood vessels of the kidneys. This stops the kidneys from working properly. HUS also causes changes to your blood, including anaemia and low platelet count.

You can get HUS at any age but it's most common in children under 5 years of age.

What are the symptoms of HUS?

Your early symptoms depend on the cause of your HUS.

The most common cause of HUS is an infection from a type of E. coli bacteria. Your first symptoms may include about 5 to 10 days of:

Whatever the cause of your HUS, later symptoms can include:

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes HUS?

The most common cause of HUS is a type of bacterium known as STEC (Shiga toxin-producing E. coli). It is commonly found in cow and sheep faeces (poo).

You can catch STEC if you:

  • eat undercooked meat
  • drink unpasteurised ('raw') milk or juice
  • drink or swim in contaminated water
  • touch cows and sheep, or their faeces, then put your hand in your mouth
  • eat unwashed vegetables that were in contact with animal faeces

Read more on accidentally eating unsafe foods.

You can also catch STEC through close contact with someone who has the infection or with surfaces they've touched, such as toys, nappies, taps or toilets. The STEC bacterium produces toxins (poisonous substances) that damage your digestive tract (gut) and can cause HUS. However, most people infected with STEC don't develop HUS.

Antibiotics can increase the risk of developing HUS from a STEC infection. Only take antibiotics if your doctor has advised you to.

Other less common causes of HUS include other infections, medicines (such as some cancer treatments), genetic mutations, autoimmune conditions and a rare complication of pregnancy.

When should I see my doctor?

HUS is a serious disease. If you have symptoms, see a doctor immediately.

STEC infection is a notifiable disease. This means that your doctor must tell the Australian Government's Department of Health and Aged Care if you're diagnosed with STEC infection.

The Department needs to monitor and track all cases of STEC infection to find outbreaks and improve healthcare responses.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How is HUS diagnosed?

If your doctor thinks that you have HUS, they will ask about your symptoms and examine you. Blood, stool and sometimes urine tests confirm the diagnosis.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

How is HUS treated?

If you have HUS, you will need care in hospital.

Treatments you may need include:

  • intravenous (IV) fluids — to treat dehydration if you have diarrhoea
  • antihypertensive medicines — if you have high blood pressure
  • a blood transfusion — if you have severe anaemia
  • dialysis — if your kidneys aren't working properly

HUS caused by genetic mutations is treated using a medicine called eculizumab.

What are the complications of HUS?

In severe cases, HUS can affect other organs, most commonly the brain. Like in the kidneys, clots form in small blood vessels, stopping the brain from working properly. This can lead to seizures, stroke, and coma.

Long-term complications of HUS can include kidney failure and high blood pressure.

Can HUS be prevented?

You can reduce the chance that you or your children get HUS by:

  • taking care to eat properly cooked and washed foods
  • washing your hands often (including before eating)
  • avoiding unpasteurised milk (also known as raw milk) and juices
  • only drinking treated water (such as Australian tap water and other chemically treated, boiled or purified water)

All these things are part of food safety and reduce your chances of getting many other illnesses as well.

Resources and support

  • To find out more about haemolytic uraemic syndrome, or to get advice on what to do next, speak with your doctor.
  • Learn about the rare (atypical) form of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) from Genetic Alliance Australia.
  • You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • If your child is 5 years old or younger, and has symptoms of HUS, the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby video call service allows you to speak face-to-face with a maternal child health nurse. Video call is a free service and is available from 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week (including public holidays).

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: February 2025


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Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) | SA Health

Infection with Shiga Toxin Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) may cause haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) with serious consequences

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Haemolytic uraemic syndrome - Better Health Channel

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is a rare condition which can lead to chronic kidney damage or death from kidney failure.

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Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS) fact sheet - Fact sheets

STEC (also known as VTEC) infection can cause serious disease, including bloody diarrhoea, and sometimes haemolytic uraemic syndrome.

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Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Find out how we define and monitor cases of HUS, and where you can learn more about this disease.

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List of nationally notifiable diseases | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

This page lists diseases that states and territories have agreed to report to us through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System.

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Shiga toxin-producing E.coli - Better Health Channel

There are many types of E.coli bacteria, most of which are harmless. However, some types of E.coli produce toxins (poisons) that can cause gastroenteritis (gastro). One of these types of E.coli is known as ‘shiga toxin-producing E.coli’ or STEC.

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List of notifiable conditions | Queensland Health

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