Is Campylobacter infection serious?
The most common test to detect a Campylobacter infection uses a stool sample. Your healthcare provider sends a sample of your poop to the lab, where technicians test it for the bacteria. In extremely rare cases, the bacteria can get into your blood. If this happens, it can cause a life-threatening infection.
What disease does Campylobacter cause?
About one in every 1,000 reported Campylobacter illnesses leads to Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). GBS happens when a person’s immune system is triggered by an infection. People with GBS can have muscle weakness or sometimes paralysis that can last for weeks and often require intensive medical care.
How do you get a campylobacter infection?
Eating undercooked poultry, meat, or eggs, or cross contamination of foods, such as using the same cutting board or utensils for raw poultry or meat and vegetables without washing, are common ways to be infected. Even one drop of juice from raw poultry or meat can have enough Campylobacter in it to infect a person.
Where is Campylobacter found in the body?
Once inside the human digestive system, Campylobacter infect and attack the lining of the small and large intestines.
What are the first signs of Campylobacter?
People with Campylobacter infection usually have diarrhea (often bloody), fever, and stomach cramps. Nausea and vomiting may accompany the diarrhea. These symptoms usually start 2 to 5 days after the person ingests Campylobacter and last about one week.
How long does it take to fully recover from Campylobacter?
Most people with Campylobacter infection recover completely within one week. Most cases of Campylobacter infection occur after someone eats raw or undercooked poultry or another food that has been contaminated by raw or undercooked poultry.
What is the best treatment for Campylobacter?
Most people recover from Campylobacter infection without antibiotic treatment. Patients should drink extra fluids as long as diarrhea lasts. Some people with, or at risk for, severe illness might need antibiotic treatment.
What happens if Campylobacter is not treated?
If left untreated, campylobacteriosis may lead to serious consequences for a very small number of people. Some problems can happen early on. One example is a gallbladder infection (cholecystitis). There can also be complications from the later stages of the infection.
What are the signs of Campylobacter?
Can Campylobacter be cured?
How long does a Campylobacter infection last?