Yersiniosis

Treatment

Diarrhea caused by yersiniosis generally goes away on its own, though in some cases antibiotics are prescribed. In infants, however — particularly those who are 3 months old or younger — it can develop into bacteremia. Infants who contract yersiniosis are usually treated in a hospital.

Depending on the severity of the diarrhea, your doctor may suggest modifying your child's diet for 1 or 2 days and encouraging your child to drink more fluids (which may include drinks with electrolytes to replace body fluids quickly).

If your child has frequent bouts of diarrhea, watch for signs of dehydration, including:

• severe thirst
• dry mouth or tongue
• sunken eyes
• dry skin
• not urinating as often
• in infants, a dry diaper for several hours
• no tears when crying
• looking lethargic

Prevention

To reduce the risk of yersiniosis, take these precautions:

• Don't serve or eat raw or undercooked meat.
• Drink and serve only pasteurized milk and milk products.
• Wash hands with soap and water particularly before eating and preparing food; before touching infants or their toys, bottles, or pacifiers; and after contact with animals or handling raw meat.
• Use separate cutting boards for meat and other foods.
• Clean all cutting boards, countertops, and utensils with soap and hot water after preparing raw meat.
• Always cook meat thoroughly before you eat it, especially pork products.
• Dispose of animal feces and sanitize anything they have touched.
• Avoid drinking directly from natural water sources such as ponds and mountain streams, particularly if the water is near farmland where cattle, pigs, or goats are raised.
• As you care for a family member who has diarrhea, remember to wash your hands thoroughly before touching other people and before handling food.
• If your pet dog or cat has diarrhea, wash your hands frequently as you care for it, and check with your veterinarian about treatment and/or contagiousness.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your doctor if your child:

• has diarrhea streaked with blood
• is vomiting
• has abdominal pain
• has a fever

With some rest, kids with yersiniosis usually make a full recovery quickly.

Reviewed by: Yamini Durani, MD
Date reviewed: July 2012