Campylobacter infection

Campylobacter infection occurs in the small intestine from a bacteria called Campylobacter jejuni . It is a type of food poisoning.

Causes

Campylobacter enteritis is a common cause of intestinal infection . These bacteria are also one of the many causes of traveler's diarrhea or food poisoning .

Intestinal infection

Bacterial gastroenteritis is present when bacteria cause an infection of the stomach and intestines

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Food poisoning

Food poisoning occurs when you swallow food or water that contains bacteria, parasites, viruses, or the toxins made by these germs. Most cases are c...

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People most often get infected by eating or drinking food or water that contains the bacteria. The most commonly contaminated foods are raw poultry, fresh produce, and unpasteurized milk.

A person can also be infected by close contact with infected people or animals.

Symptoms

Symptoms start 2 to 4 days after being exposed to the bacteria. They often last a week, and may include:

• Cramping abdominal pain

  Abdominal pain

  Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.

  

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• Fever

  Fever

  Fever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...

  

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• Nausea and vomiting
• Watery diarrhea , sometimes bloody

  Diarrhea

  Diarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.

  

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Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. These tests may be done:

• Complete blood count with differential
• Stool sample testing for white blood cells
• Stool culture for Campylobacter jejuni

  Stool culture

  A fecal culture is a lab test to find organisms in the stool (feces) that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and disease.

  

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Treatment

The infection almost always goes away on its own, and often does not need to be treated with antibiotics. Severe symptoms may improve with antibiotics.

The goal is to make you feel better and avoid dehydration . Dehydration is a loss of water and other fluids in the body.

Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how muc...

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These things may help you feel better if you have diarrhea:

• Drink 8 to 10 glasses of clear fluids every day. For people who do not have diabetes, fluids should contain salts and simple sugars. For those with diabetes, sugar-free fluids should be used.
• Drink at least 1 cup (240 milliliters) of liquid every time you have a loose bowel movement.
• Eat small meals throughout the day instead of 3 big meals.
• Eat some salty foods, such as pretzels, soup, and sports drinks.
• Eat some high-potassium foods, such as bananas, potatoes without the skin, and watered-down fruit juices.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most people recover in 5 to 8 days.

When a person's immune system does not work well, the Campylobacter infection may spread to the heart or brain.

Other problems that may occur are:

• A form of arthritis called reactive arthritis

  Reactive arthritis

  Reactive arthritis is a group of conditions that may involve the joints, eyes, and urinary and genital systems. These areas become swollen and infla...

  

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• A nerve problem called Guillain-Barré syndrome , which leads to paralysis (rare)

  Guillain-Barré syndrome

  Guillain-Barré syndrome is a serious health problem that occurs when the body's defense (immune) system mistakenly attacks part of the nervous system...

  

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When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your provider if:

• You have diarrhea that continues for more than 1 week or it comes back.
• There is blood in your stools .

  Blood in your stools

  Bloody stools often are a sign of a problem in the digestive tract. Blood in the stool may come from anywhere along your digestive tract from your m...

   

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• You have diarrhea and are unable to drink fluids due to nausea or vomiting.
• You have a fever above 101 ° F (38.3°C), and diarrhea.
• You have signs of dehydration (thirst, dizziness, lightheadedness)
• You have recently traveled to a foreign country and developed diarrhea.
• Your diarrhea does not get better in 5 days, or it gets worse.

Call your provider if your child has:

• A fever above 100.4°F (37.7°C) and diarrhea
• Diarrhea that does not get better in 2 days, or it gets worse
• Been vomiting for more than 12 hours (in a newborn under 3 months you should call as soon as vomiting or diarrhea begins)
• Reduced urine output, sunken eyes, sticky or dry mouth, or no tears when crying

Prevention

Learning how to prevent food poisoning can reduce the risk for this infection.