Yersinia bacteria have been found in raw pork and pork products, contaminated unpasteurized milk, ice-cream, tofu, shellfish, and ponds, lakes and streams contaminated by animal feces. Sometimes yersiniosis may mimic appendicitis, especially in older children and adults. Joint pain has been reported in half of infected adults. Symptoms of yersiniosis usually occur within 3 to 7 days after swallowing the bacteria. Yersiniosis is usually diagnosed in a laboratory by identifying the Yersinia bacteria in a stool or blood sample from the infected person.
Most infected persons recover on their own without treatment.
Severe infections are usually treated with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. The Yersinia bacteria usually disappear from the stool after the diarrhea has stopped, but in some individuals Yersinia bacteria may continue to be present for several weeks or months after the diarrhea has stopped. Most infected persons should be able to return to work when they no longer have diarrhea. Young children who attend day care should be kept at home while they have diarrhea. Practice good hand washing habits after going to the bathroom, after changing diapers, before preparing meals, and before eating.