Vibrio parahaemolyticus food poisoning is caused by a bacterium called Vibrio parahaemolyticus. This organism naturally exists in the salt waters, fish, and shellfish off the coast of the Canada and United States. An individual typically gets infected by consuming raw or improperly cooked food that is infected with the bacteria, like fish or shellfish and especially oysters. The bacterium causes illness when it binds to a person's small intestine and discharges a poison.
Vibrio Parahaemolyticus Food Poisoning
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
Vibrio parahaemolyticus food poisoning is a gastrointestinal illness caused by ingesting a bacterium called Vibrio parahaemolyticus. This organism originates from the family of bacteria responsible for cholera. Vibrio parahaemolyticus needs salt water to live, and it exists in the waters, fish, and shellfish off the coast of Canada and the United States. The presence of this organism, as well as the food poisoning caused from it, increases in the warm summer months. About 4500 people become infected by Vibrio parahaemolyticus annually in the United States.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answeredVibrio parahaemolyticus food poisoning can affect the body in many ways. When ingested, the vibrio parahaemolyticus bacterium attaches to an individual's small intestine and discharges a poison that affects the gastrointestinal system. An infected person can experience diarrhea, stomach cramps, headache, upset stomach, vomiting, chills, and fever. The illness typically lasts about three days. It can also cause a skin infection when if you have an open wound that is exposed to warm seawater.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
Symptoms of Vibrio parahaemolyticus food poisoning usually begin within 24 hours of consuming the organism. Infected individuals can experience diarrhea, abdominal cramping, headache, upset stomach, vomiting, chills, and fever. The illness typically lasts about three days. It is generally not severe enough to require hospitalization unless the infected person has a weak immune system.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
There are ways to help prevent Vibrio parahaemolyticus food poisoning. Completely cooking seafood, particularly oysters, can prevent the majority of infections. In addition, swift and voluntary notification of the illness to a state health department and regional Food and Drug Administration (FDA) office helps improve research about outbreaks and assists in finding the origins of infection.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
About 4,500 people become infected by the Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria species each year in the United States, but it is likely that many cases are not reported since many people recover without medical treatment. The illness is most often reported in the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coastal states, since these states are near the salt waters where the organism exists. Cases reported from non-coastal states typically result from tainted seafood or travel in coastal states. In 2007, cases of infection caused by this organism became nationally reportable by state health departments to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
Cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus food poisoning are usually mild to moderate and do not require hospitalization or antibiotic therapy. However, individuals who have weak immune systems have an increased risk of a serious infection. Persons with diabetes, liver disease, or peptic ulcers also have a potential risk of severe infection.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
A doctor may suspect Vibrio parahaemolyticus food poisoning after an evaluation of symptoms. Infected individuals may experience symptoms of diarrhea, stomach cramps, headache, upset stomach, vomiting, chills, and fever. A doctor will typically consider Vibrio parahaemolyticus food poisoning if a person has diarrhea that is watery, and the person has consumed raw or improperly cooked seafood, particularly oysters. To confirm diagnosis, a doctor will collect a stool specimen or a blood sample and test to see if the samples indicate that the bacteria are present.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
There are some treatment options that may help reduce the symptoms of Vibrio parahaemolyticus food poisoning even if medication isn't necessary. Individuals who experience diarrhea should drink lots of fluids to replace those lost by the body. While most infections are mild or moderate, if the infection is severe or persists for a long period, some doctors may prescribe an antibiotic, such as tetracycline, to treat the illness.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
As with any illness, Vibrio parahaemolyticus food poisoning can impact your life, but there are ways you can manage the infection day to day. Get plenty of bed rest. If you have diarrhea, make sure to drink a lot of liquids to replace the fluids you lose. Even if you are vomiting, try to take tiny sips of liquid often. If you consult a doctor, make sure to follow directions for any medication or other treatment.