How is the risk of HUS affected by antibiotic use?
- In the United States, the majority of diarrhea-associated HUS is related to infection with STEC O157:H7, generally from contaminated ground beef. In several series, the use of antibiotics appears to increase the risk of HUS in children younger than 10 years old.
- Although the data regarding adults are less clear, there is no evidence that the use of antibiotics shortens the duration of illness or decreases symptoms, and thus they should not be used in these cases.
