Yersiniosis

An infection caused by a bacterium that leads to diarrhea and abdominal pain is called yersiniosis. This bacterial infection usually affects people when handling raw or eating undercooked pork. One effective way to prevent yersiniosis is to make sure the meat is prepared at a safe internal temperature and wash the hands with soap and warm water before and after handling raw meat.

This infection often happens when a person is exposed to a bacterium called Yersinia enterocolitica. While it often affects people when they eat undercooked pork, you can also get it from other animals, including rodents, cows, sheep, rabbits, and horses. In rare cases, this bacterium may spread to humans from dogs and cats.

Usually, this infection goes away with treatment. Physicians treat this infection with antibiotics.

While anyone may develop this infection, it often affects children and people who prepare chitlins (a food produced from pig intestines).

Generally, it is a common condition that affects approximately 117,000 people in the United States. Thus, roughly 650 people are hospitalized for treatment, and about 35 people die from yersiniosis each year.

Symptoms

Commonly, this bacterial infection causes problems with the digestive system. In most cases, the symptoms appear within a few days after exposure to the bacteria. With early diagnosis and treatment, the symptoms last up to 3 weeks. Check below the most common yersiniosis symptoms:

Diarrhea (in most cases bloody diarrhea)
Abdominal (belly) cramping and pain
Fever
Sore throat (pharyngitis)
Many older children and adults mistakenly think they have appendicitis because they experience pain in the lower right side of the abdomen. This is a symptom similar to appendicitis.

It is important to know that if you develop yersiniosis, you are contagious when you experience diarrhea. In other words, the infection can spread to other people if they come in contact with feces. You should also regularly wash your hands, especially after using the toilet. It will help stop the spread of the infection.

Causes

Usually, this bacterial infection happens from ingesting a bacterium called Yersinia enterocolitica. In rare cases, people may develop this infection after a blood transfusion. It happens because the blood was taken from an infected person. Check below some ways on how you can ingest the bacteria:

Drinking contaminated milk or water
Eating food that is contaminated with this bacteria (in most cases, raw or undercooked pork)
Handling the feces of an infected animal or person
People who prepare chitlins and touch their mouths before washing their hands
Accidentally touching a surface or object that is contaminated with the bacteria that cause yersiniosis

Risk Factors

Certain factors may increase your risk of developing yersiniosis. These include:

Raw and undercooked pork (especially chitterlings)
Unpasteurized milk or other dairy products
Contaminated water
Direct contact with infected animals or people
Cross-contamination (this means the bacteria spread to other foods, utensils, or surfaces during preparation)
High Iron levels – Some people with health conditions that cause increased levels of Iron in the blood (such as hemochromatosis) are at increased risk of developing yersiniosis.

What Happens if Yersiniosis is Left Untreated?

Sometimes, people with this bacterial infection may experience some complications. These include:

Skin rash that often affects the abdomen or legs
Joint pain (reactive arthritis) may occur within a month after exposure to the bacteria. It usually affects the wrists, knees, and ankles.
Bacteremia (this complication happens when the infection spreads to the bloodstream and, without treatment, may lead to sepsis)
Pseudoappendicitis – This complication often happens in children.
Necrotizing enterocolitis – This is a severe complication that causes inflammation and damage to the intestinal walls.
Neurological complications (these include brachial plexus neuropathy, myelitis, and others)

This document does not contain all possible complications of yersiniosis. For more details, discuss it with your doctor.

How to Prevent Yersiniosis?

Check below some tips that may help reduce the risk of yersiniosis:

Avoid unpasteurized products – These include cheeses, ice cream, milk, and other dairy products.
Carefully dispose of animal feces because they can contain bacteria that cause this infection.
Cook the food properly – It means you should avoid raw pork as well as other types of raw meat. It is advised to cook the food at a safe internal temperature.
Prevent cross-contamination – You should use a separate cutting board for meat and other foods.
Take precautions while preparing chitlins – This is a food prepared from pork intestines. That’s why it is recommended to avoid touching anything until you wash your hands. Thereafter, use bleach to disinfect surfaces, pots, and utensils.
Wash your hands – You should wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap each time you handle raw pork meat, especially before eating.

Diagnosis

Doctors usually diagnose this condition by performing a physical examination and asking some questions about your symptoms. However, they may also take a sample of your stool and test it in the laboratory to check for the bacteria that cause yersiniosis.

Treatment

In most cases, people get better without treatment. However, if you develop a severe form of the infection, you may need antibiotics to lessen the symptoms and treat the condition. Physicians may also recommend drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. If you develop serious complications, you may need additional treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the complications of yersiniosis?

While most people recover without any complications, in rare cases, some people may develop some of them. The most common complications that usually affect women with yersiniosis are reactive arthritis (joint pain that often affects the wrists, ankles, and knees). One life-threatening but rare complication of yersiniosis is sepsis. It often occurs when the infection enters the bloodstream.

When should I see my healthcare provider about yersiniosis?

It is recommended to see a doctor if you or your child experiences severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps. However, most people who develop this infection get better on their own.

How long are you contagious with Yersinia?

Usually, people are contagious as long as they experience symptoms. In rare cases, people are contagious for weeks or even months after diarrhea has stopped. Ask your healthcare provider if you have additional questions.