Treatment

HUS requires treatment in the hospital. Lost fluids and electrolytes must be carefully replaced because the kidneys aren't removing fluids and waste as efficiently as normal.

Transfusions

In the hospital, you may need intravenous (IV) transfusions of red blood cells or platelets.

• Red blood cells can help reverse signs and symptoms of anemia — including chills, fatigue, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, yellow skin and dark urine.
• Platelets can help your blood clot more normally if you're bleeding or bruising easily.

Medications

If you have lasting kidney damage from HUS, your doctor might recommend a medication to lower your blood pressure, to prevent or delay further kidney damage.

If you develop complications or have the form of HUS that's caused by a genetic mutation (atypical HUS), your doctor may recommend eculizumab (Soliris) to help prevent additional damage to your blood vessels.

Before taking eculizumab, you will need to receive or have already received a vaccination to prevent meningitis, a potential and serious side effect of the medicine.

Surgery and other procedures

Depending on your symptoms, the cause of your HUS and whether you have any complications, your doctor may recommend other treatments, including:

• Kidney dialysis. Sometimes dialysis is needed to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. Dialysis is usually a temporary treatment until the kidneys begin functioning adequately again. But if you have significant kidney damage, you might need long-term dialysis.
• Plasma exchange. Plasma is the fluid part of blood that supports the circulation of blood cells and platelets. Sometimes a machine is used to clear the blood of its own plasma and replace it with fresh or frozen donor plasma.
• Kidney transplant. Some people who have severe kidney damage from HUS eventually will need a kidney transplant.