Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionPrognosisFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Prognosis
Frequently Asked Questions
The bacteria are more abundant when the water is warmer, with 80% of vibriosis infections occurring from May through October.
This article discusses the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment for vibriosis.
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Vibriosis Symptoms
When eaten, vibriosis is afood-borne illnessthat results in intestinal symptoms. Symptoms typically begin 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food.
Vibriosis cases are usually mild but can become severe in people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can include:
When theVibriobacteria comes into contact with an open wound, it can cause a serious skin infection. The symptoms include pain, redness, and swelling of the wound.
WarningIf the bacteria enters the bloodstream, it can cause a life-threatening illness.
Warning
If the bacteria enters the bloodstream, it can cause a life-threatening illness.
It is typically seen in oysters but can be found in other bivalve shellfish like clams and mussels.
Is It Safe to Eat Shellfish?Avoid eating undercooked or raw shellfish if you have a weakened immune system or an underlying medical condition. You are more likely to become seriously ill from a vibriosis infection.
Is It Safe to Eat Shellfish?
Avoid eating undercooked or raw shellfish if you have a weakened immune system or an underlying medical condition. You are more likely to become seriously ill from a vibriosis infection.
To diagnose vibriosis, a healthcare provider will ask about recent medical history and diet. Any recent consumption of shellfish or exposure to salt water is important to disclose.
Intestinal symptoms, likediarrhea, are also clues that point to a vibriosis infection. To confirm the diagnosis a healthcare provider can have astool culturesent to test for the bacteria.
If a healthcare provider suspects that vibriosis has spread to the blood, then ablood culturecan be ordered.
Most cases of vibriosis are mild and can be treated at home. Home treatment for intestinal illness should focus ondrinking plenty of waterto replace fluids lost through diarrhea andvomiting.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there is no proof thatantibioticscan minimize the length of the illness or its severity. However, antibiotics are sometimes used in serious vibriosis cases.
It’s best to avoid undercooked and raw shellfish, especially oysters, to prevent an intestinal vibriosis infection.When eating shellfish make sure they are fully cooked. This means that shellfish still in the shell are boiled until the shell opens up and then still boiled for five more minutes.
Do not eat shellfish that doesn’t open up after cooking. It’s also crucial to ensure that food does not touch uncooked shellfish. This can causecross-contaminationresulting in illness.
Avoid coming in contact with brackish or saltwater to prevent vibriosis skin infections. This is particularly important for people with underlying medical conditions or weakened immune systems.
Most people who get a vibriosis infection recover and have a positive prognosis. The CDC estimates that of the 80,000 vibriosis infections each year, it causes only approximately 100 deaths.
There is more risk of serious illness in people with vibriosis-relatedbloodstream infectionsand those with underlying conditions and weakened immune systems.These people need to seek medical attention as soon as possible for prompt treatment.
Summary
A Word From VeryWell
Vibriosis is a rare infection but can cause serious, life-threatening illnesses in certain people. The bacteria can cause intestinal illness or a skin infection. Be aware that you are at risk of getting sick if you eat raw or undercooked shellfish like oysters.
The intestinal symptoms include watery diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. People who get a skin infection may find their wound red, painful, and swollen. A skin infection is less common than an intestinal illness. However, a skin infection can become much more serious if it causes a bloodstream infection.
Frequently Asked QuestionsA vibriosis infection can cause an intestinal illness from eating contaminated food or skin infection from contaminated water. For most people with the food-borne illness, they can recover at home. In those with the skin infection, they should talk to their healthcare provider prompt treatment.Vibriosis is a bacterial infection that has no specific cure. Antibiotics can be used to help severe cases.
A vibriosis infection can cause an intestinal illness from eating contaminated food or skin infection from contaminated water. For most people with the food-borne illness, they can recover at home. In those with the skin infection, they should talk to their healthcare provider prompt treatment.
Vibriosis is a bacterial infection that has no specific cure. Antibiotics can be used to help severe cases.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vibrio species causing vibriosis.Bell A, Bott M.Vibriosis: what you and your patients need to know.Dela J Public Health. 2021;7(1):14-21. doi:10.32481/djph.2021.001.005Washington State Department of Health.Vibriosis in shellfish.Virginia Department of Health.Vibriosis (non-cholera).
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vibrio species causing vibriosis.Bell A, Bott M.Vibriosis: what you and your patients need to know.Dela J Public Health. 2021;7(1):14-21. doi:10.32481/djph.2021.001.005Washington State Department of Health.Vibriosis in shellfish.Virginia Department of Health.Vibriosis (non-cholera).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vibrio species causing vibriosis.Bell A, Bott M.Vibriosis: what you and your patients need to know.Dela J Public Health. 2021;7(1):14-21. doi:10.32481/djph.2021.001.005Washington State Department of Health.Vibriosis in shellfish.Virginia Department of Health.Vibriosis (non-cholera).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vibrio species causing vibriosis.
Bell A, Bott M.Vibriosis: what you and your patients need to know.Dela J Public Health. 2021;7(1):14-21. doi:10.32481/djph.2021.001.005
Washington State Department of Health.Vibriosis in shellfish.
Virginia Department of Health.Vibriosis (non-cholera).
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