There is a bacteria called Vibrio that naturally live in certain coastal waters and are present in higher concentrations water temperatures are warmer. Most people become infected by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters. Certain Vibrio species can also cause a skin infection when an open wound is exposed to brackish or salt water. Brackish water is a mixture of fresh and sea water. It is often found where rivers meet the sea. People with compromised immune systems, especially those with chronic liver disease, are more likely to get vibriosis. When ingested, Vibrio bacteria can cause watery diarrhea, often accompanied by abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. Usually these symptoms occur within 24 hours of ingestion and last about 3 days. A clinician may suspect vibriosis if a patient has watery diarrhea and has recently eaten raw or undercooked seafood, especially oysters, or when a wound infection occurs after exposure to seawater. Infection is diagnosed when Vibrio bacteria are found in the stool, wound, or blood of a patient who has symptoms of vibriosis. Treatment is not necessary in mild cases, but patients should drink plenty of liquids to replace fluids lost through diarrhea. Although there is no evidence that antibiotics decrease the severity or duration of illness, they are sometimes used in severe or prolonged illnesses. One can reduce one’s risk of vibriosis by not eating raw or undercooked oysters or other shellfish. Cook them before eating; always wash your hands with soap and water after handing raw shellfish; avoid contaminating cooked shellfish with raw shellfish and its juices; stay out of brackish or salt water if you have a wound (including cuts and scrapes), or cover your wound with a waterproof bandage if there’s a possibility it could come into contact with brackish or salt water, raw seafood, or raw seafood juices. Brackish water is a mixture of fresh and sea water. It is often found where rivers meet the sea; wash wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and water if they have been exposed to seawater or raw seafood or its juices.
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