Information on Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter Infection)

What is Campylobacter?
Campylobacter are bacteria which can cause an infection of the intestines.

What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms are diarrhea (which may contain blood or pus), abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

How is Campylobacter spread?

Eating contaminated food, especially improperly cooked poultry (chicken or turkey), meat (beef, pork, lamb), or uncooked food contaminated by cutting boards or knives which have been in contact with raw poultry or meat.
Drinking unpasteurized milk or water contaminated with the bacteria.
Contact with infected pets (especially puppies or kittens) or other animals.
Direct contact with feces from infected people.

How long after being infected does a person become sick?
From 1-10 days, usually 2-5 days.

When can someone with Campylobacter spread it to others?

As long as two to seven weeks after getting sick, if not treated with antibiotics.
People usually stop being contagious 2-3 days after beginning to take an appropriate antibiotic.

Who is susceptible?
Everyone. All ages.

How can the spread of Campylobacter be prevented? Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water:

After using the toilet or after changing dirty diapers,
After contact with animals,
After handling raw poultry and meat, and
Before preparing food, serving food, or eating.
Thoroughly cook all food, especially poultry.
Wash cutting boards and utensils with soap and hot water after contact with raw poultry and meat.
Drink only pasteurized milk.

When can a person with Campylobacter return to work or child care?

Work. People with Campylobacter who provide care to children in child care settings, provide care to persons in health care facilities or residential care facilities, or work as a food handler must not work while they have diarrhea.
Child care. Children with Campylobacter who have diarrhea should not attend child care until their symptoms stop.
The Health Department may require that food service workers, health care workers, or child care providers submit a stool sample to assure they are no longer infectious before returning to work.

What is the treatment?