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Overview

Campylobacter Infection Overview

Campylobacter infection is a common foodborne illness caused by Campylobacter bacteria, especially Campylobacter jejuni. It usually affects the intestines and can cause diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting. Most otherwise healthy people recover without complications, but young children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems may develop more serious illness.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Campylobacter Infection

  • Diarrhea, which may sometimes be bloody.
  • Fever.
  • Abdominal cramps or pain.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Dehydration symptoms such as very little urination, dry mouth, or dizziness.
  • Rare neurologic symptoms that require prompt medical assessment.

How It Spreads

How Campylobacter Infection Spreads

  • Eating poultry or other meat that is undercooked or contaminated.
  • Consuming unpasteurized milk or dairy products.
  • Drinking untreated or contaminated water.
  • Touching infected animals or their feces and then touching the mouth.
  • Transferring bacteria from raw food to ready-to-eat food through contaminated hands, utensils, or surfaces.
  • Having close contact with an infected person, especially when hygiene is poor.

Campylobacter jejuni is a common species of Campylobacter bacteria. Infection occurs when the bacteria are swallowed, usually through contaminated food, water, hands, or surfaces.

Risk Factors

Risk Factors for Campylobacter Infection

  • Eating raw or undercooked poultry or meat.
  • Drinking untreated water or consuming unpasteurized milk.
  • Handling farm animals, puppies, kittens, or other animals that may carry Campylobacter.
  • Living in or traveling to an area with unsafe food or water.
  • Being a young child or an older adult.
  • Having a weakened immune system or another condition that increases the risk of severe infection.

Complications

Complications of Campylobacter Infection

  • Dehydration from prolonged diarrhea or vomiting.
  • Bacteremia, or bacteria entering the bloodstream, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
  • Reactive arthritis after the intestinal infection.
  • Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare nerve disorder that can cause progressive weakness or paralysis.
  • Post-infectious irritable bowel symptoms.

SEEK URGENT CARE

Watch for neurologic symptoms

Rapidly worsening weakness, trouble walking, or difficulty breathing after diarrhea requires urgent medical evaluation.

Treatment & Management

Campylobacter Treatment and Management

Supportive care at home

  • Replace fluids and electrolytes lost through diarrhea or vomiting.
  • Rest and gradually resume regular foods as tolerated.
  • Ask a clinician before using antidiarrheal medicines, especially when stools are bloody or fever is present.

When medical treatment may be needed

Many people recover without antibiotics. Clinicians may prescribe antimicrobial medicine for severe or prolonged illness, infection that has entered the bloodstream, or people at higher risk of complications; stool testing, hospital care, or intravenous fluids may also be considered when symptoms are serious.

Prevention

How to Prevent Campylobacter Infection

  • Cook poultry and meat thoroughly and use a food thermometer when appropriate.
  • Keep raw poultry and meat separate from ready-to-eat foods.
  • Wash hands with soap and water after handling raw meat, animals, diapers, or using the toilet.
  • Choose pasteurized milk and dairy products.
  • Drink treated or boiled water when water safety is uncertain.
  • Clean cutting boards, utensils, and counters after preparing raw poultry or meat.
  • Supervise children around animals and wash their hands after animal contact.

Outlook and Prognosis

Outlook and Prognosis

Most otherwise healthy people with Campylobacter infection recover over several days to about a week, although bowel symptoms may last longer in some cases. Recovery can be slower or more complicated when dehydration, severe illness, or another health condition is present.

  • Severe dehydration or inability to keep fluids down can delay recovery.
  • Older adults, young children, and people with weakened immune systems may become seriously ill.
  • Persistent diarrhea, joint symptoms, or new weakness after the infection may require medical follow-up.

When Should You See a Doctor

When Should You See a Doctor?

CONTACT A CLINICIAN

Severe or persistent symptoms

Contact a healthcare professional for bloody diarrhea, a high or persistent fever, prolonged diarrhea, repeated vomiting, or signs of dehydration. Medical advice is also important during pregnancy, for very young children or older adults, and for anyone with a weakened immune system.

EMERGENCY CARE

Seek immediate help

Seek emergency services for fainting, severe dehydration, confusion, rapidly worsening weakness, trouble walking, or difficulty breathing. These symptoms can signal a serious complication requiring urgent treatment.

Branches

1 topic

Symptoms

4 topics

  • Campylobacter Infection

    Abdominal Pain

  • Campylobacter Infection

    Fever

  • Campylobacter Infection

    Nausea

  • Campylobacter Infection

    Vomiting