Teen Fights Kidney Failure After Eating Burgers

A 15-year-old girl from Colorado ended up in the hospital due to severe food poisoning after eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounders multiple times. Kamberlyn Bowler was diagnosed with kidney failure and needed dialysis, which was quite scary for her mom. This happened during an E. coli outbreak that affected at least 75 people, likely caused by contaminated onions on the burgers. Dialysis helped Kamberlyn, but the experience was tough. Her mom, Brittany Randall, is considering suing McDonald’s. The E. coli O157:H7 bacteria can cause a serious condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can be life-threatening. Doctors warn that quick and careful treatment is essential.

Kamberlyn ate the burgers during football and softball games, thinking they were a convenient snack. She soon felt sick with fever, vomiting, and stomach pains. Her mom, who works as a jail guard, initially thought it was the flu until Kamberlyn started having blood in her stool and urine. After several hospital visits, Kamberlyn was diagnosed with acute kidney failure and had to be flown to Children’s Hospital Colorado. The CEO of McDonald’s, Chris Kempczinski, apologized for the outbreak. Randall worries about the future cost and her daughter’s long-term health.

Actions