\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t <\/p>\n \tRelated story \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t13 Symptoms of Meningitis You Need to Know If You\u2019re Parenting Teens\t\t<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p><\/div>\n \t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n \t \n\tDepending on how you contract Vibrio vulnificus (more on that later), it can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, where the skin around an infected wound starts to die \u2014 hence why it\u2019s often called a \u201cflesh-eating bacteria.\u201d However, you can also swallow it with undercooked shellfish, which can lead to serious gastrointestinal symptoms as well.<\/p>\n \n\tIt sounds like enough to keep you away from the beach (and oyster bars) for good, but it\u2019s not always that simple. With the summer heat officially here and the bacteria lurking in the water where we go to find relief<\/a>, how can keep yourself\u2014and your little ones\u2014safe?<\/p>\n \n\tVibrio vulnificus is a bacterium found naturally in coastal waters, says Sukrut Dwivedi, DO<\/a>, the infectious disease section chief at Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center. We see cases spike during warmer weather\u2014specifically in May through October\u2014because the bacteria multiplies rapidly in warmer water, Dr. Dwivedi explains, which increases the odds of exposure. \u201cThe highest number of infections typically occur from late spring through early fall,\u201d he explains, \u201cparticularly along Gulf Coast and Atlantic coastal regions.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThere are two primary ways you can get infected with Vibrio vulnificus:<\/p>\n \n\t(Note that this bacteria is not transmitted from person-to-person.) <\/p>\n \n\tSymptoms of this bacterial infection can vary. Gastrointestinal symptoms include:<\/p>\n \n\tSymptoms associated with wound infections include:<\/p>\n \n\tInfection can also impact the bloodstream, which can present as:<\/p>\n \n\tHealthy people that contract Vibrio vulnificus may only deal with a mild illness, Dr. Dwivedi says, but the infection can still progress to severe levels \u2014 and those with an underlying condition like chronic liver disease or diabetes are at much higher risk. About 1 in 5 people with severe Vibrio vulnificus infections die, he adds, sometimes within just one or two days. Others may need extensive surgery or amputation.<\/p>\n \n\tThat\u2019s why it\u2019s important to know the signs and to seek medical attention immediately if you or a loved one start showing symptoms after possible exposure. Make sure to tell the provider immediately that you have been in contact with seawater or have eaten raw seafood. People with Vibrio vulnificus will typically be treated with antibiotics, surgical removal of infected tissue, or amputation when necessary. <\/p>\n \n\tEarly treatment, Dr. Dwivedi says, can significantly improve survival outcomes. \u201cYou should not wait for a Vibrio vulnificus infection to go away on its own,\u201d he emphasizes. \u201cIt can be fatal quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tVibrio vulnificus can lead to serious illness, so it\u2019s no wonder health experts are sounding the alarm that it\u2019s on the rise. Cases in the eastern U.S. have increased eightfold between 1988 and 2018, according to the American Society of Microbiology<\/a>, a trend we can likely attribute to global warming.<\/p>\n \n\tAs waters along the coasts get warmer, \u201cboth the geographic range and seasonal window during which these bacteria can thrive\u201d is expanding, says Dr. Dwivedi, who noted that Vibrio vulnificus is now being detected farther north than we would historically see, including in the Northeast. \u201cWarmer-than-average coastal water temperatures likely play a role.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tHe points out the cases in Florida as an example. They\u2019re spread across both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts rather than in one spot, so health officials believe the spike is due to \u201cbroad, climate-driven environmental changes,\u201d Dr. Dwivedi says, \u201crather than a localized contamination event.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tKeeping your family safe from Vibrio vulnificus should be top-of-mind if you live or are vacationing near warm coastal waters \u2014 or if you\u2019re planning on eating shellfish any time soon. Here is Dr. Dwivedi\u2019s advice:<\/p>\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.sheknows.com\/wp-content\/themes\/vip\/pmc-sheknows-2020\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\")
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\n<\/section>\n<\/p>\n\n\t\tWhat is flesh-eating bacteria (Vibrio vulnificus)?\t<\/h2>\n
\n\t\tWhat to do if you suspect an infection\t<\/h2>\n
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\n\t\tWhy is Vibrio vulnificus on the rise?\t<\/h2>\n
\n\t\tHow can I keep my kids safe?\t<\/h2>\n
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