Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is a serious, potentially fatal kidney disorder that typically strikes young children after intestinal infection with enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) — especially the O157:H7 strain from undercooked beef, unpasteurised milk, or contaminated produce. The bacteria’s Shiga toxin enters the blood, damages small vessels, destroys red blood cells (haemolytic anaemia), consumes platelets, and clogs the kidneys’ filters — the triad that defines the syndrome. Affected children develop bloody diarrhoea followed by pallor, bruising, and falling urine output. Treatment is supportive — careful fluids, transfusion, dialysis — since antibiotics can worsen toxin release. HUS is the nightmare endpoint that makes EHEC control in food production so critical.