About this topic
Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a germ that most often affects the belly. These germs live inside fish and shellfish. The germ is also found in other marine animals and in saltwater. ‚
Often, this illness does not need any treatment. It may go away on its own in 3 to 7 days. You may need treatment if you keep throwing up or have bloody stools. Your doctor may order drugs to treat the illness. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take your drugs as directed by the doctor.
- Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of fluids each day to prevent fluid loss. Your doctor may want you to drink special liquids to replace lost fluids and minerals in your body.
- Follow good hygiene practices. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds before eating and after using the toilet. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs. This is especially important:
- After using the bathroom
- Before eating
- Before cooking
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your wound if you have one.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection
- Lower fever
- Help with pain
- Stop throwing up
Will physical activity be limited?
Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Stay away from caffeine and foods that are greasy, high in fiber, or sweet.
- Eat soft, bland foods like bananas, plain rice, boiled potatoes, toast, crackers, cooked carrots, and baked chicken without the skin or fat.
- Eat small meals every few hours instead of 3 big meals
What problems could happen?
- Fluid loss
- Kidney problems
- Low red blood cells (anemia)
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Be careful when swimming in saltwater.
- Avoid swallowing water while swimming, boating, or doing recreational water activities.
- Protect others by not swimming when you or your child has loose stools. Do not swim for at least 2 weeks after loose stools stop.
- Change diapers in a bathroom, not at poolside or on the beach.
- If you have a skin wound, protect it with a waterproof bandage.
- Be careful when eating.
- Choose foods that are freshly cooked and served very hot.
- Do not eat food from street vendors.
- Avoid eating raw and undercooked fish, meat, and shellfish.
- Freeze or heat raw oysters before eating them.
- If you suspect that your drinking water may be contaminated, let it boil at more than 140 ‚ °F (60 ‚ °C) for at least 30 minutes.
- Follow good hygiene habits.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs. This is especially important:
- After using the bathroom or changing diapers
- Before eating
- Before cooking
- After working in the dirt
- Keep sick children away from daycare. This will prevent spreading the infection to others.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of fluid loss. These include dark-colored urine or no urine for more than 8 hours, dry diaper for 4 to 6 hours in babies, dry mouth, cracked lips, dry skin, sunken eyes, lack of energy, feeling faint, or passing out.
- Very bad belly pain
- Not able to eat
- Bloody stools
- Throwing up that wont stop
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Change in behavior
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how often I should try to drink fluids.
- I can tell what I will do if I have dark colored urine, dry mouth, bad belly pain, or bloody stools.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/vibriop/ ‚
Foodsafety.gov ‚
http://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/causes/bacteriaviruses/vibrio_infections/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚