Symptoms of Yersinia Enterocolitica
Yersinia enterocolitica symptoms can vary, depending on the age of the person infected.
Symptoms of Yersinia Enterocolitica in Young Children
Yersinia enterocolitica infections occur most often in young children. Common symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Diarrhea, which in 5 percent of children is bloody.
Yersinia enterocolitica symptoms in children may last one to three weeks or longer.
Symptoms of Yersinia Enterocolitica in Older Children and Adults
In older children and adults, right-sided abdominal pain and fever may be the most common symptoms, and may be confused with
appendicitis. In a small number of cases, complications can occur, such as:
- Erythema nodosum
- Joint pains
- Spread of bacteria to the bloodstream (known as septicemia).
Septicemia from Yersinia enterocolitica is more common in people with:
- Diabetes
- Graves' disease (a common form of hyperthyroidism)
- Cirrhosis (destruction of an organ)
- Hemochromatosis (a metabolic disorder)
- Severe anemia (a deficiency of red blood cells).
Diagnosing Yersinia Enterocolitica
In order to make a Yersinia enterocolitica diagnosis, the doctor will ask a number of questions about:
- Recent history of foods or drinks that have been consumed
- Recent travel history
- Current medical conditions
- Recent surgery or transfusions
- Current medicines.
A Yersinia enterocolitica diagnosis is generally made by detecting the bacteria in the stools. Many laboratories do not routinely test for Yersinia enterocolitica, so it is important to notify the laboratory personnel when infection with this bacterium is suspected so that special tests can be done. The organism can also be recovered from other sites, including:
- Throat
- Lymph nodes
- Joint fluid
- Urine
- Bile
- Blood.
Previous
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print