The Lexington Herald-Leader addressed the serious complication of E. coli infection called hemolytic uremic syndrome.

About 5 percent of youngsters who get HUS do not survive. The key to treatment is early diagnosis, says UK’s Dr. Philip Bernard. The first sign of trouble is bloody diarrhea, and Bernard said parents should take children with symptoms to the doctor immediately.

Children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to E. coli O157:H7 and HUS.