How does vibrio make people sick?
Once ingested, the bacteria multiply in the intestinal tract then invade the bloodstream, said Dr. Bruce Hamilton, an infectious disease specialist at St. Luke Hospital East. Early symptoms include nausea, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and enlarged blisters (sometimes blood-filled) that most often appear on the legs. Once in the bloodstream, vibrio can lead to septicemia or shock from a massive infection. The mortality rate from vibrio in the bloodstream is more than 50 percent. How can infections be avoided? Thoroughly cooking oysters will kill the bacteria. Merely steaming them until the shells open is not always enough heat. And contrary to some urban legends, soaking raw oysters in hot sauce or eating them with a shot of alcohol will not kill the bacteria. Mississippi State offers several oyster cooking tips: For oysters in the shell, boil for three to five minutes AFTER the shells open; or steam four to nine minutes. For shucked oysters, boil or simmer for at least three mi
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- How does vibrio make people sick?
