Campylobacter infection is a type of stomach flu. Some people call it food poisoning. The most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever. Campylobacteriosis
This foodborne illness starts after someone eats or drinks food that contains Campylobacter bacteria. If you ingest enough bacteria, you can get an infection. Typically, symptoms appear one to seven days after coming into contact with the bacteria.
The burden of foodborne diseases, including Campylobacteriosis, is substantial: approximately 1 in 10 people become ill each year and 33 million healthy life years are lost. Foodborne illnesses can be serious, especially for young children. Diarrheal diseases are the most common diseases resulting from unsafe food, sickening 550 million people annually (including 220 million children under 5).Campylobacter infections.
How common is campylobacter infection?
Researchers don’t have an exact figure for how many people get it each year. This is because most people do not go to the doctor for food poisoning, such as Campylobacter infection. Healthcare providers diagnose campylobacteriosis in about 20 out of every 100,000 people annually. However, some estimates put the number of Campylobacter infections at over 1.5 million per year. This is one of the most common foodborne illnesses in the United States.Campylobacteraceae
How do you get Campylobacter infection?
Campylobacter infection starts when a person eats or drinks something with the bacteria. Undercooked or undercooked food can lead to infection. Some common foods that can contain Campylobacter are:
- Chicken.
- Dairy products that are not pasteurized (sterilized to kill bacteria).
- Seafood
- Untreated water.
You can also get the bacteria by accidentally touching the feces of an infected animal. Both cats and dogs can carry Campylobacter. And some people have been infected after selling puppies at a pet store. Always make sure you wash your hands after cleaning up after an infected pet or after handling unfamiliar animals. Campylobacter
The elderly and the very young are at the highest risk of infection. Also, people with weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to infections. A weakened immune system can come from cancer treatment, an immune condition, smoking, or drinking too much alcohol. Campylobacter jejuni
What are the symptoms of Campylobacter?
Campylobacter infection has symptoms you would expect from the so-called stomach flu (which is not the same as influenza, a respiratory illness). You may have:
- Diarrhea (sometimes with blood).
- fever
- Headache.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Stomach pain.
Not everyone will get sick. People who do get sick usually start feeling sick one to seven days after infection. Symptoms last about a week. C jejuni
How is campylobacter infection diagnosed?
The most common test to detect Campylobacter infection uses a stool sample. Your healthcare provider sends your stool sample to a laboratory, where technicians test it for bacteria. Campylobacter fetus
In very rare cases, bacteria can enter your bloodstream. If it does, it can cause a life-threatening infection. Your healthcare provider will order a blood test to check if this has occurred. C fetus
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for most cases of food poisoning. The disease will run its course in about a week. If your healthcare provider can confirm a Campylobacter infection, antibiotics may be prescribed to help speed recovery. C jejuni subspecies doylei
Your healthcare provider will recommend drinking more fluids because both diarrhea and vomiting can cause dehydration. Also, make sure you fill up on electrolytes – essential minerals, such as sodium, calcium, and potassium. A sports drink can help with electrolytes. Arcobacter
Complications
Most people do not have complications with Campylobacter infection. But there are some risks. Some rare complications include:
- Erythema nodosum, a painful infection of the fatty layer of the skin, usually on the legs
- Guillain-Barre syndrome.
- Reactive arthritis is joint inflammation caused by an infection.
How can I prevent campylobacter infection?
You can avoid getting food poisoning from Campylobacter with a little precaution.
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Cleaning up after using the toilet, changing diapers, or using the bathroom.
- Before and after care for the sick.
- After petting cats and dogs or cleaning up their feces.
- After touching the waste.
- You should disinfect the toilet after a person with diarrhea has used it. If you have diarrhea, wash your hands frequently with warm, soapy water.
When it comes to food safety, always wash your hands before handling and after handling raw food. These tips also help:
- Avoid getting bacteria on other foods by using separate cutting boards for chicken/meat and veggies.
- Clean dishes and countertops with warm, soapy water after contact with raw meat.
- Cook meat (especially chicken) until no longer pink. If you go to a restaurant, send the chicken back to the kitchen if it’s still pink.
- Don’t drink water if you don’t know if it’s been tested for purity — including river water.
- Drink only pasteurized milk.
Can campylobacter infection be severe?
Campylobacter infections are highly contagious, meaning you can get the infection easily. However, most people who get sick with it will feel better in about a week.
You may want to talk to a health care provider if your immune system is weakened by illness or chemotherapy, if you are concerned about Campylobacter, or if you have diarrhea.
When should I see my doctor?
If you do not feel better after a few days, you should see your healthcare provider. Older adults and young children should see a healthcare provider if they have symptoms of stomach flu. The very young and the elderly can get sick from bacteria, and they also need to watch out for dehydration. If you or a loved one becomes dehydrated, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. You may need intravenous (IV) fluids.