Burger trouble: Teen fights kidney failure after McDonald's meal

In Grand Junction, Colorado, a 15-year-old named Kamberlyn Bowler has been through a rough ride. She's a freshman who loves softball, and she recently enjoyed a few Quarter Pounder burgers with extra pickles at McDonald's. But things took a nasty turn when she started feeling sick with a fever, stomach pain, and even bloody diarrhea. Her mom, Brittany Randall, initially thought it might be the flu. However, a second trip to the ER revealed something much worse: her kidneys had stopped working due to an E. coli infection. This serious bacterial infection, commonly found in animals, can cause some nasty symptoms and even life-threatening kidney failure, especially in young people like Kamberlyn. Doctors had to rush Kamberlyn to another hospital where she's been for nearly three weeks now. She's undergone several rounds of dialysis, a process where machines filter the blood, similar to how healthy kidneys work. Her mom says her kidneys are showing signs of recovery, but they're not sure when she'll be out of the hospital. Kamberlyn's not alone in this, either. At least 75 people across 13 states have fallen sick after eating at McDonald's, and 22 have been hospitalized. Investigators think the problem lies with the chopped yellow onions in the burger, which the supplier has recalled.

McDonald's has withdrawn the Quarter Pounder from some restaurants but brought it back after investigations. Now, about 700 restaurants serve the burgers without onions. Other big fast-food chains like Burger King and Taco Bell have also stopped using onions as a precaution. Fighting such a severe infection isn't easy, and Kamberlyn described it as "not fun" during her interview. Her mom says they're hoping the next dialysis session is her last, but they're also uncertain about her future health. McDonald's has expressed regret over the situation, emphasizing customer well-being is important. Meanwhile, Kamberlyn's family plans to take legal action against the fast-food giant, joining others who have fallen ill. This outbreak serves as a reminder that food safety is crucial, especially when it comes to our favorite fast foods.

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