Yersiniosis

Yersiniosis, Pediatric

Yersiniosis is a rare bacterial infection that can cause a fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

What are the causes?

This condition is most often caused by a species of bacteria called Yersinia enterocolitica.These bacteria can be carried by pigs and other animals. A child can become infected after:

• Eating contaminated food, especially raw or undercooked pork (common).
• Drinking contaminated, unpasteurized milk or untreated water.
• Touching a toy, bottle, or pacifier that had the bacteria on it.
• Coming into contact with an infected pig or other animal (rare).
• Coming into contact with the stool (feces) of an infected person (rare).
• Receiving contaminated blood during a transfusion (rare).

What increases the risk?

This condition is more likely to develop in:

• The winter.
• Cooler climates.
• Children.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Common symptoms of this condition include:

• Fever.
• Pain in the abdomen, often on the right side in older children.
• Diarrhea, which may be bloody.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• A skin rash (rare).
• Joint pain (rare).

Symptoms usually begin 4–7 days after exposure to the bacteria. Skin rashes and joint pain often develop after the first symptoms improve. The rashes and pain may last for several months.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed with a stool test that detects the bacteria. If the infection spreads, it can also be diagnosed with tests that detect the bacteria in the affected part of the body.

How is this treated?

Treatment for this condition depends on its severity. Mild cases often go away without treatment. Severe cases and cases that affect infants may be treated with antibiotic medicines.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Have your child drink enough fluid to keep his or her urine clear or pale yellow.
• Give over-the counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• If your child was prescribed an antibiotic, give it as told by his or her health care provider.Do notstop giving the antibiotic to your child even if he or she starts to feel better.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• Do notgive raw or undercooked pork to your child.
• Do notgive unpasteurized milk or milk products to your child.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before you prepare food, after you come into contact with animals, and after you handle raw meat. Wash your hands often if you are caring for a person or a pet that has diarrhea, especially before you touch other people or handle supplies for your infant.
• Prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen. Use a different cutting board for meat than you use for other foods. After you prepare raw meat, carefully clean all cutting boards, countertops, and utensils with soap and hot water.
• Dispose of animal feces in a sanitary manner.
• Avoid drinking water directly from natural sources such as streams and lakes.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your child’s symptoms get worse.
• Your child has new symptoms.
• Your child has moderate to severe pain in the abdomen.
• Your child cannot drink without vomiting.
• Your child has a lot of blood in his or her stool.
• Your child has a new fever.
• Your child has moderate to severe pain in his or her joints.
• Your child has a painful skin rash.
• You child has symptoms of moderate dehydration. These include:
  • Very dry mouth.
  • Sunken eyes.
  • No tears when crying.
  • Dark urine.
  • Decreased urination.
  • Decreased activity.
  • Feeling weak or dizzy.

Get help right away if:

• Your child who is younger than 3 months has a temperature of 100°F (38°C) or higher.
• Your child has any symptoms of severe dehydration. These include:
  • Extreme thirst.
  • Cold hands and feet.
  • Confusion.
  • Fainting.
  • Difficulty being awakened or roused.