Understanding Campylobacter Infection

Campylobacter is a type of bacteria that lives in the digestive tract of many animals. These include cows, pigs, and poultry. If you are exposed to the bacteria, you may get sick. The infection is often spread through contaminated food, such as undercooked meat. It can be a cause of traveler's diarrhea.

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You can get the bacteria by eating raw or undercooked meat, such as poultry. You may also get sick from it if you drink water or unpasteurized milk that has been contaminated with the bacteria. People who have close contact with infected animals are also at risk.

You can lower your chances of being infected with the bacteria by handling food safely. Wash your hands well with soap and clean, running water (warm or cold) for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat or chicken. Also clean cutting boards, utensils, and counters with hot, soapy water and a disinfectant after each use. Follow by rinsing these surfaces with clean water. This helps keep you from contaminating one food with another. Always cook poultry and meats thoroughly. Always wash your hands well after using the bathroom, changing diapers, touching pets, and before eating food.

Not all people who are infected have symptoms. People who do often get ill 2 to 4 days after exposure. Symptoms may last up to a week. They include:

• Stomachache
• Belly (abdominal) cramps
• Diarrhea, which may be bloody
• Feeling unwell
• Upset stomach (nausea)
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle pain

Often the fever, chills, and weakness begin 2 to 3 days before belly cramps or diarrhea start.

Symptoms tend to be worse in older adults, young children, and pregnant women. They can also be more severe in people who have health problems that affect the immune system. These include people living with HIV/AIDs infection or those getting chemotherapy.

Treatment includes:

• Rest. You may feel better faster if you get plenty of rest.
• Fluids. Drinking lots of fluids will help you stay hydrated. Don't have alcohol or drinks with caffeine.
• Medicine. You usually don't need antibiotics. But you may need antibiotics that target this infection if you have a severe case, you have a weak immune system, or you are at high risk for complications.

• Irritable bowel syndrome. This is a condition of alternating diarrhea and constipation. It's not a common complication.
• Joint pain (arthritis). This condition often develops many days or a few weeks after the fever and diarrhea have eased.
• Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). This disease causes severe muscle weakness or paralysis. About 1 in every 1,000 people with Campylobacter infection in the U.S. gets GBS.

Contact your doctor right away if you have:

• Fever of 100.4°F ( 38°C) or higher, or as directed by your doctor
• Belly pain that gets worse after 1 to 2 days
• Chills or fever that keeps getting worse after 1 to 2 days
• Bloody stool
• Confusion
• Severe weakness