Vibrios are bacteria that can sometimes cause serious infections
Although most people can fight off the harmful bacteria, some people may get serious infections.
People at higher risk for a serious infection are those who have:
- Chronic liver disease
- Alcoholism
- A weakened immune system (due to medication, HIV or AIDS, etc.)
People can get Vibrio infections in different ways
The bacteria are only found in saltwater. People with weakened immune systems can get Vibrio infections by eating contaminated seafood, such as raw or undercooked oysters, clams, mussels, and other shellfish. Healthy people can get Vibrio infections in cuts or sores that get contaminated with saltwater from a bay or an ocean.
Symptoms to look for after eating raw or undercooked seafood may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
Symptoms can start from 12 to 72 hours after eating infected food.
Symptoms to look for from infected cuts or sores are:
- Redness, pain or swelling around the cut that spreads quickly
- Cuts or sores that get larger and deeper or blister
In these people, the bacteria can infect the blood or cause serious skin infections; symptoms may include fever, chills, and low blood pressure, and can cause death if not treated.
Vibrio infections can be treated with antibiotics
Persons having these signs and symptoms should call a doctor immediately. Make sure to tell the doctor if you have eaten raw or under-cooked seafood or have been exposed to saltwater in the last 3 days.
Vibrio infections can be prevented
- Cook shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) completely. Do not eat shellfish that do not open during cooking.
- Do not eat any raw shellfish.
- Do not let raw seafood touch cooked seafood.
- Wear gloves when touching raw shellfish.
- Try to keep open cuts or sores away from raw shellfish caught in saltwater.
If you have open cuts and sores, do not go into a bay or ocean, or wash thoroughly with soap and water after water exposure.
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Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Infectious Disease and Environmental Health Administration
Web: http://www.edcp.org/html/cdindex.cfm
Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Outbreak Response
August 2010 |
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