The Lincoln Journal-Star reports that a small child from Lincoln has been ill with an E. coli O157:H7 infection since the 4th of July.

Children can suffer various ailments when they become ill with E. coli. One of the worst conditions, hemolytic uremic syndrome, is a debilitating complication of E. coli O157:H7 infection that can lead to kidney failure, central nervous system impairment, and damage to organs such as the liver, heart, and lungs.

This latest E. coli outbreak linked to E. coli-contaminated spinach will leave many children with life-long complications from HUS.