Symptoms normally begin around 24 hours to three days, depending on the way exposure occurred. People who ingest water or seafood contaminated with Vibrio bacteria can have symptoms including:

• Watery diarrhea
• Abdominal cramping
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Chills
• Leg cramps

Severe illness is rare, and typically happens in people with a weakened immune system.

People who get a skin infection from having an exposed wound and enter a body of water where both salt and freshwater are present (brackish water). This is often present where a river meets the ocean. Coastal waters are at risk of containing Vibrio bacteria due to having both salt and brackish water.

Diagnosis

Vibriosis infections are normally diagnosed through laboratory testing of a feces sample. Vibrio positive samples must be sent to the Indiana Department of Health Laboratory for confirmation and additional testing.

Treatment

Vibriosis infections should be treated with supportive therapy, such as hydration. Antibiotics may be given depending on the site of the infection and how sick the person is.

• Follow food safety guidelines
  • Be careful when consuming raw or undercooked seafood
  • Consider consuming only fully cooked seafood
• People with diarrhea and/or vomiting should not prepare food or provide health care for others and should limit direct contact with others as much as possible.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming or playing in lakes, ponds, streams, swimming pools, or other bodies of water.
• Do not enter bodies of water when you have open cuts. If you have open cuts, cover them up fully before entering.

Once you or your child start having symptoms of the illness, such as vomiting, do not attend work (specifically for food handlers, healthcare workers, daycare workers) or attend daycare or school until a healthcare provider or someone from your local health department says you are clear to go back.

If you believe you have vibriosis and have not yet been treated or spoken to a doctor, please be sure to do so. You should be evaluated by a doctor to confirm that you have vibriosis and that you receive the correct treatment. You should also respond to requests for interview by your local or state public health department. An investigation will take place for every confirmed case of vibriosis. It is important that you answer the call from your local or state health department so that other people in your home or near you are not at risk of getting vibriosis as well. An investigation may also look into your exposures to check if other people are at risk.