What is Vibrio Vulnificus Infection

Vibrio Vulnificus Infection is due to a bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus  that normally live in warm seawater or in water that is a mixture of fresh and salt water (brackish water).Infection with these bacteria can cause digestive and skin problems. This infection can be very severe in people who have a weakened disease-fighting (immune) system (are immunocompromised) and in people with long-term (chronic) liver disease. In these people, the bacteria can invade the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening illness called septicemia.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by:

• Eating seafood that contains (is contaminated with) Vibrio vulnificus. This type of bacteria is often found in oysters and other shellfish in warm coastal waters during the summer.
• Exposure of an open wound to seawater or brackish water that contains the bacteria.

What increases the risk?

The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:

• Having liver disease, cancer, diabetes, thalassemia, or HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
• Taking medicine that reduces the activity of the immune system (immune-suppressing therapy).
• Taking medicine that reduces stomach acid levels.
• Having had stomach surgery recently.
• Spending time in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Texas.
• Exposure to flood water after a tropical storm or hurricane around coastal areas.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition among otherwise healthy people include:

• Vomiting.
• Watery diarrhea.
• Stomach pain.
• Nausea.
• Cramps in the abdomen.

Symptoms among people who have another medical condition include:

• Skin breakdown.
• Skin blisters.
• Open sores (ulcers) on the skin.
• Fever.
• Chills.
• Low blood pressure.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed by testing samples of stool, blood, or wound tissue for bacteria (cultures). Your health care provider may suspect Vibrio vulnificus if you have been in salt water or brackish water and have watery diarrhea.

How is this treated?

This condition is treated with antibiotic medicines taken by mouth (orally). If septicemia develops, it will likely be treated with antibiotics given through an IV tube. Skin blisters or ulcers may be treated with a surgical procedure to remove dead or diseased tissue from wounds (debridement). Severe cases may require surgical removal (amputation) of the affected limb.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take your antibiotic medicine as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• Wear protective clothing, such as gloves, when handling raw shellfish.
• Do not eat raw shellfish. Make sure that any shellfish you eat is thoroughly cooked:
  • Boil or steam shellfish in a small pot. Using a large pot may cause uneven cooking.
  • Do not eat shellfish that do not open after cooking.
• Avoid contaminating cooked seafood and other kinds of food with raw seafood and raw seafood juices.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling seafood.
• Avoid exposing open wounds or broken skin to warm seawater or brackish water.
• When you are in brackish or salt water, wear shoes to protect you from scrapes and cuts.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your symptoms seem to be getting worse.
• You develop new symptoms.

Get help right away if:

• You cannot drink fluids without vomiting.
• You are immunocompromised or have chronic liver disease and:
  • You have symptoms of low blood pressure, such as dizziness, fainting, lack of concentration, blurred vision, rapid and shallow breathing, or cold skin.
  • You develop a fever or chills.
  • You have an increased heart rate.
  • You have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
  • You are light-headed, you feel restless, or you feel confused.
  • You have sores or blisters on your skin.

Summary

• Vibrio vulnificus are bacteria that normally live in warm seawater or in water that is a mixture of fresh and salt water (brackish water).
• This infection can be very severe in people who have a weakened disease-fighting system (are immunocompromised) and in people with long-term (chronic) liver disease.
• Your health care provider may suspect Vibrio vulnificus if you have been in salt water or brackish water and have watery diarrhea.
• Do not eat raw shellfish. Make sure that any shellfish you eat is thoroughly cooked.