A high school freshman in Colorado, Kamberlyn Bowler, was hospitalized with a rare and severe complication of E. coli poisoning that led to kidney failure. It is likely linked to slivered onions served on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, as part of an outbreak that has affected at least 75 people across 13 states, resulting in one death. Kamberlyn fell ill after eating her favorite meal, a Quarter Pounder with cheese and extra pickles, from the fast-food chain.
She initially experienced symptoms like fever and stomach pain, which later progressed to bloody diarrhea and vomiting. At the hospital, tests revealed an E. coli infection causing renal failure, leading to her airlift to Children’s Hospital Colorado for treatment. Kamberlyn was diagnosed with a rare complication known as HUS, which can result in permanent kidney damage. She underwent multiple rounds of dialysis in the hospital to support her failing kidneys.
Kamberlyn’s mother, Brittany Randall, is concerned about her daughter’s recovery and potential long-term effects of the infection. They plan to sue McDonald’s over the outbreak, as many others have already done. Symptoms of E. coli typically include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, but serious complications such as HUS can arise in a small percentage of cases. Patients like Kamberlyn, who was previously healthy and physically active, have a better chance of recovery according to experts. McDonald’s has issued an apology and pledged to make things right for affected customers.
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