Vibriosis (infection with Vibrio): Symptoms and treatment

Vibriosis is an infection caused by several species of a group of bacteria called Vibrio. People can be infected by eating raw or undercooked seafood, or by exposing an open wound to water contaminated with Vibrio bacteria.

On this page

• Symptoms of vibriosis
• If you become ill
• Diagnosing vibriosis
• Treating vibriosis

Symptoms of vibriosis

Several species of Vibrio can cause illness in humans including V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus,and V. alginolyticus. Symptoms vary depending on which species is causing your illness.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Symptoms usually appear 24 hours after exposure, but can range from 4 hours to 4 days. You may experience:

• watery diarrhea
• abdominal cramps
• nausea
• vomiting
• headache

Illness is likely to be mild to moderate and most symptoms end within 1 to 7 days. Some people experience extreme diarrhea that contains blood or mucous.

V. parahaemolyticus can also infect a wound that's exposed to:

• raw seafood or seafood juices
• marine or coastal sea waters
• brackish water (where fresh and salt water meet)

Vibrio vulnificus

Symptoms usually appear 12 to 72 hours after exposure. You may experience:

• fever
• chills
• skin lesions
• hypotension (low blood pressure)

Illness can be mild, but is more often severe with rapid progression requiring intensive care. V. vulnificus often causes septicemia (an infection of the bloodstream) which can be fatal.

V. vulnificus can also infect a wound that's exposed to:

• raw seafood or seafood juices
• marine or coastal sea waters
• brackish water (where fresh and salt water meet)

If you become ill

Contact your health care provider if you:

• think you may have vibriosis
• have severe symptoms or
• develop a skin or wound infection and you've been in contact with:
  • salt water or brackish water
  • raw seafood or its juices

Severe vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration (severe loss of fluids). Drink plenty of fluids.

Diagnosing vibriosis

Vibriosis is diagnosed by a health care provider, who may order a laboratory test to detect Vibrio bacteria in your:

• stool
• blood, or
• wound

Your health care provider will assess your symptoms, and may ask questions to determine your risk of a Vibrio infection. For example, they might ask about foods you've eaten recently, and whether you've been in contact with salt water, brackish water or raw seafood.

Treating vibriosis

• Symptoms usually last 1 to 7 days.
• Most people recover on their own.
• Your health care provider can monitor your health, and help you avoid dehydration and other complications.
• Wound infections may require prescription drugs or hospital care, depending on the severity of the infection.
• If you have septicemia (an infection of the bloodstream), you will need to be hospitalized.