Vibrio Parahaemolyticus Infection

Abdomen | Gastroenterology | Vibrio Parahaemolyticus Infection (Disease)


Description

Vibrio Parahaemolyticus infection is a severe infection of the intestine with the bacteria, and causes diarrhea. Bacteria normally lives in aquatic environments, people become infected by drinking contaminated water or contaminated seafood. Once infected, it is excreted in the stool, so the infection spreads rapidly, especially in areas with poor hygiene and which are not disinfected.

Symptoms begin 3-6 days after ingestion, usually without abdominal pain and watery diarrhea. The fever is absent in most cases. In people who survive, symptoms resolve in 3-6 days. Most of the patients remove bacteria from the body within two weeks, yet it remains in some people without causing symptoms.

Causes and Risk factors

The symptoms begin 24 hours after eating infected raw or undercooked seafood. It is a dangerous condition that may cause severe dehydration leading to cardiovascular shock and death.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is made in the presence of bacteria by culture of stool highlight. Prevention consists of water purification by chlorination, avoiding uncooked food consumption and boiling water.

Treatment consists in re-balancing rapid loss of fluids and electrolytes. Antibiotics are recommended to stop the diarrhea: tetracycline, doxycycline, azithromycin, erythromycin. ...