Campylobacteriosis

What is campylobacteriosis?

Campylobacteriosis is a bacterial infection that affects the intestinal tract and, in rare cases, the bloodstream. It is the most commonly reported cause of bacterial diarrhea in Wisconsin. Most cases are seen in the summer months and occur as single cases or outbreaks.

Who gets campylobacteriosis?

Anyone can get Campylobacter infection.

How are the bacteria spread?

Campylobacter are generally spread by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, unpasteurized milk, and by direct or indirect contact with fecal material from an infected person, animal or pet (especially puppies and kittens.)

What are the symptoms of campylobacteriosis?

Campylobacteriosis may cause mild or severe diarrhea, often with fever and traces of blood in the stool.

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?

The symptoms generally appear 2 to 5 days after the exposure, with a range of 1-10 days after exposure.

Where is Campylobacter bacteria found?

Many animals including pigs, cattle, dogs and birds (particularly poultry) carry the bacteria in their intestines. These sources in turn may contaminate meat products (particularly poultry), water supplies, milk and other items in the food chain.

For how long can a person carry the Campylobacter bacteria?

Generally, after being infected people will continue to pass the bacteria in their feces for a few days up to a week or more. Certain antibiotics may shorten the carrier phase.

Do infected people need to be excluded from school or work?

Most infected people may return to work or school when their stools become formed provided that they carefully wash their hands after toilet visits.

What is the treatment for campylobacteriosis?

Most people infected with Campylobacter will recover without treatment. Infected persons should drink fluids to prevent dehydration. Antibiotics are occasionally used to treat severe cases or to shorten the carrier phase, which may be important for food handlers, children in day care and health care workers. Since relapses occasionally occur, some physicians might treat mild cases with antibiotics to prevent a recurrence of symptoms.

How can campylobacteriosis be prevented?

• Always treat raw poultry, beef and pork as if they are contaminated and handle accordingly:
  • Promptly refrigerate foods at less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit; minimize holding time at room temperature.
  • Cutting boards and counters used for food preparation should be washed and disinfected immediately after use to prevent cross contamination with other foods.
  • Avoid eating raw or undercooked meats.
  • Ensure that the correct internal cooking temperature is reached, particularly when using a microwave.

• Avoid eating raw eggs or undercooking foods containing raw eggs.

• Avoid consuming raw milk (unpasteurized).

• Carefully wash hands with soap before and after food preparation.

• Make sure children wash their hands with soap after playing with pets.

• Recognize, control and prevent Campylobacter infection in domestic animals and pets.

• Always wash hands with soap after toilet visits.

Each year, Medical College of Wisconsin physicians care for more than 180,000 patients, representing nearly 500,000 patient visits. Medical College physicians practice at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, and many other hospitals and clinics in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin.