Campylobacter Gastroenteritis

What is Campylobacter Gastroenteritis

Campylobacter gastroenteritis is a common infection that can cause diarrhea and other symptoms. It is caused by Campylobacterbacteria. These bacteria often infect animals, and the condition spreads easily to other animals and humans through food and water that contain the bacteria (contaminatedfood and water).

Campylobacter gastroenteritis is also known as traveler’s diarrhea, and it is more common in countries where food and water are contaminated.

In very rare cases, a campylobacter infection may lead to another condition called Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS). This condition can occur when the body’s disease-fighting (immune) system overreacts after an infection. Signs of GBS include weakness or inability to move (paralysis) that may last for weeks or years.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by Campylobacterbacteria. You may get this infection if you:

• Drink water that is contaminated by stool (feces) of an infected animal or person.
• Eat raw or undercooked meat from an infected animal.
• Eat raw or undercooked fruits or vegetables that have come in contact with the feces or meat of an infected animal.
• Drink milk that has not been heated enough to kill bacteria (has not been pasteurized).
• Touch anything that is contaminated, then touch your mouth before you have washed your hands.

What increases the risk?

People at higher risk of infection include:

• Young children.
• Elderly people.
• People with a weak immune system, such as people who have AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), cancer, or other long-term (chronic) diseases.
• Pregnant women.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Watery diarrhea, which may be bloody.
• Pain in the abdomen.
• Cramps.
• Fever.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Muscle aches or headache.

Symptoms usually start 2–5 days after infection occurs. Symptoms may be more severe in people who have a weak immune system.

Healthy people may have the infection without showing any symptoms.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your symptoms.
• Recent history of travel to a place where water contamination is common.
• A physical exam.
• Testing a sample of stool or body fluid to check for bacteria.

How is this treated?

In most cases, this condition goes away without treatment within 7 days. Your health care provider may:

• Recommend an ORS (oral rehydration solution). This is a drink that helps you replace fluids and electrolytes (rehydrate). It is found at pharmacies and retail stores.
• Prescribe medicines to relieve nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Prescribe antibiotic medicine, if you have a weak immune system or severe symptoms.
• Give you IV fluids at the hospital to prevent dehydration, if you cannot drink enough to replace fluids that you lost because of severe vomiting or diarrhea.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow. This is especially important if you are vomiting or if you have diarrhea.
• Drink clear fluids as you are able. Clear fluids include water, ice chips, diluted fruit juice, and low-calorie sports drinks.
• Eat small meals throughout the day that include healthy foods such as whole grains, lean meats, and fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid fluids that contain a lot of sugar or caffeine, such as energy drinks, soda, and some sports drinks.
• Avoid alcohol.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic, take it as told by your health care provider. Do notstop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Rest at home until your symptoms go away. Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider.
• Wash your hands often with soap and hot water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.

Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• Use a meat thermometer to make sure you cook meat to the recommended temperature.
• Always wash fruits and vegetables before eating or preparing them.
• Do notdrink unpasteurized (raw) milk.
• Do notlet food come in contact with raw meat or any juice from raw meat.
• After you prepare raw meat, wash your hands, countertops, cutting boards, and all utensils with hot water and soap. If you use a cloth dishtowel, do notuse it again until you have washed it.
• Wash your hands with hot water and soap after going to the bathroom, changing a diaper, or coming in contact with pet feces.
• When traveling in a country where contamination is common:
  • Do not eat any uncooked foods.
  • Drink only bottled water.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your symptoms last more than 7 days.
• Your symptoms get worse.
• You have a fever.

Get help right away if:

• You cannot drink fluids without vomiting.
• You have difficulty breathing.
• You have symptoms of dehydration, such as:
  • Dry skin.
  • Thirst.
  • Dark urine.
  • Decreased urination.
  • Tiredness.
  • Confusion.
• You develop weakness or paralysis.

Summary

• Campylobacter gastroenteritis is a common infection that can cause diarrhea and other symptoms. It is caused by bacteria.
• This condition spreads easily to other animals and humans through food and water that contain the bacteria (contaminatedfood and water).
• In most cases, this condition goes away without treatment within 7 days.