Hemolytic uremic syndrome and Guillain-Barre syndrome can come from drinking raw milk.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Only HUS
• D. Only GBS

Answer: (B)

Raw milk can carry harmful bacteria that cause serious illness, and both hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) can follow infections from those pathogens. HUS often occurs after infection with Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, which can be present in contaminated raw milk eyeing children in particular. GBS is frequently triggered by a prior Campylobacter infection, another organism that can be transmitted through unpasteurized dairy. Because raw milk is not pasteurized, it can transmit these agents to people, making both HUS and GBS potential complications from drinking it. Pasteurization and proper dairy handling greatly reduce these risks, though not every case of HUS or GBS is linked to raw milk.