Vibrio Infections
by Luis Gay
What are Vibrio Infections
Vibrio vulnificus and vibrio parahaemolyticus are bacteria that occur naturally in warm coastal areas, like the Gulf of Mexico. These bacteria are found in higher concentrations when water gets warmer like during the summer. Vibriosis is characterized by diarrhea, primary septicemia, wound infections, or other extra intestinal infections. Infection with pathogenic species of the family Vibrionaceae can cause two distinct categories of infection: cholera and vibriosis, both of which are nationally notifiable.
What Causes it and How to Prevent it
Vibrio infections are usually caused by eating raw or under cooked shellfish, especially raw oysters. So the best way to avoid being infected is to avoid eating any raw or under cooked shellfish.
Symptoms and How to Treat Vibrio Infections
For healthy individuals the symptoms usually aren't life threatening and will experience diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. For individuals with high risk to infection the symptoms are sudden chills, fever, shock, and skin lesions. Both high risk and healthy individuals who become infected should call a doctor.