Campylobacter Infection: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Campylobacter infection ranks among the leading causes of foodborne illness worldwide, affecting millions of people annually. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diarrhoeal diseases are the most common illnesses resulting from unsafe food, with 550 million people falling ill yearly. This includes 220 million children under five years.

This bacterial gastroenteritis can cause significant discomfort, but understanding Campylobacter causes, symptoms, and treatment options empowers you to protect yourself and your family.

What Is Campylobacter Infection?

Campylobacter infection, medically known as campylobacteriosis, is a bacterial intestinal infection primarily caused by Campylobacter jejuni. This foodborne illness affects your intestinal tract, leading to inflammation that triggers diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, and fever. The infection typically develops after consuming contaminated food or water, particularly undercooked or improperly handled poultry products.

Most Campylobacter infections resolve within a week with proper care. However, certain individuals, especially those with weakened immune systems, may experience severe complications. Understanding how this bacterial gastroenteritis develops helps you recognise symptoms early and seek appropriate Campylobacter treatment when needed.

How Campylobacter Infection Happens

Several transmission routes can lead to Campylobacter infection. The most common transmission routes include:

• Consuming undercooked poultry contaminated with Campylobacter bacteria
• Cross-contamination when raw poultry juices touch ready-to-eat foods, utensils, or kitchen surfaces
• Drinking unpasteurised milk from infected animals during milking or handling
• Drinking contaminated well or surface water exposed to animal faeces
• Eating contaminated produce that contacted dirty water or infected animal products
• Direct contact with infected animals, including farm animals, puppies, and kittens

How Campylobacter Spreads

Understanding transmission patterns helps prevent Campylobacter infection effectively:

• Foodborne transmission through undercooked meat and poultry
• Kitchen cross-contamination via cutting boards, knives, and preparation surfaces
• Contaminated drinking water or recreational water sources
• Raw dairy products from infected livestock
• Direct contact with infected pets or farm animals
• Person-to-person transmission through poor hand hygiene after using the toilet or handling diapers

Who Is at Highest Risk?

Certain groups face increased vulnerability to severe Campylobacter infection:

• Children under five years due to developing immune systems
• Adults over 65 years with naturally declining immunity
• Immunocompromised individuals including those with HIV/AIDS or cancer
• Pregnant women, who may experience more severe illness and potential complications
• People with chronic conditions such as diabetes or liver disease
• Agricultural workers frequently exposed to livestock
• International travellers visiting areas with poor sanitation

Campylobacter Infection Symptoms

Recognising Campylobacter symptoms enables prompt treatment and prevents complications. Common signs include:

• Diarrhoea that may range from watery to bloody
• Severe abdominal cramps and persistent pain
• Fever typically ranging from mild to moderate
• Nausea and vomiting causing additional discomfort
• Fatigue and general malaise affecting daily activities
• Headache and body aches in some cases
• Loss of appetite and reduced food intake

Early vs. Severe Symptoms

How Long After Exposure Do Symptoms Start?

Campylobacter symptoms typically appear 2-5 days after exposure, though the incubation period can range from 1-10 days. Most people initially experience general malaise, fever, and cramping, followed by diarrhoea that may become bloody within 24-48 hours. Some individuals with strong immune systems may experience minimal symptoms or mistake the infection for a brief stomach upset.

Complications of Campylobacter Infection

While most cases resolve without complications, severe outcomes can occur:

• Dehydration from persistent diarrhoea and vomiting
• Bacteraemia where Campylobacter spreads into the bloodstream
• Reactive arthritis causing painful joint inflammation that may last weeks to months
• Guillain–Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that can cause weakness and paralysis
• Pregnancy complications, including possible miscarriage or preterm labour
• Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) or pancreas (pancreatitis) in severe cases

When to See a Doctor

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Bloody stools or persistent blood in diarrhoea
• High fever above 38.9°C or lasting more than 24 hours
• Signs of dehydration including dizziness, dry mouth, or decreased urination
• Severe abdominal pain that worsens or doesn't improve
• Symptoms persisting beyond one week
• Inability to keep fluids down due to persistent vomiting

How Campylobacter Is Diagnosed

Healthcare providers use a structured approach to accurately diagnose Campylobacter infection and rule out other causes of gastrointestinal illness. The diagnostic process typically includes the following steps:

1. Medical history review: Your doctor asks about recent food consumption, particularly undercooked poultry, unpasteurised milk, or contaminated water, as well as any recent travel or known exposure risks.
2. Physical examination: This helps assess hydration status, fever, and abdominal tenderness, which can indicate the severity of infection.
3. Stool sample collection: A fresh stool sample is collected for detailed laboratory analysis to detect bacterial pathogens.
4. Laboratory testing: Specific tests are performed to identify Campylobacter bacteria and confirm the diagnosis.
5. Additional tests: Further investigations may be ordered if complications or severe infection are suspected.

Tests for Campylobacter Infection

Laboratory diagnostics play a vital role in confirming Campylobacter infection and guiding appropriate treatment. Based on symptoms, duration of illness, and risk factors, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following tests:

• Stool culture: Considered the gold standard for Campylobacter detection, this test allows direct identification of the bacteria and helps assess antibiotic sensitivity when required
• Campylobacter antigen detection: Identifies specific bacterial antigens in stool samples, offering faster results than traditional cultures
• PCR testing: A highly sensitive molecular method that detects Campylobacter DNA, especially valuable for early or severe infections
• Blood tests: Performed if bacteraemia is suspected, particularly in immunocompromised individuals
• Complete blood count (CBC): Helps evaluate infection severity by assessing markers of inflammation.

Treatment for Campylobacter Infection

Most Campylobacter infections resolve without antibiotics. Supportive care focuses on preventing dehydration through adequate fluid and electrolyte replacement. Oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes help maintain proper hydration.

Severe cases may require hospitalisation for intravenous fluid therapy. Antibiotics are typically reserved for severe infections, immunocompromised patients, or those with complications. Azithromycin is the preferred antibiotic for severe or prolonged cases. Fluoroquinolones may be used in specific situations, though resistance is increasingly common.

Can Campylobacter Go Away Without Treatment?

Yes, most healthy individuals recover from Campylobacter infection without specific medical treatment. The immune system typically clears the bacteria within 5-7 days. However, supportive care including rest, hydration, and symptom management remains essential. Avoiding anti-diarrhoeal medications initially allows your body to eliminate the bacteria naturally. Monitor symptoms closely and seek medical care if complications develop.

How Long Does Campylobacter Infection Last?

Typical Campylobacter infections last 5-7 days in healthy individuals. Symptoms usually peak within the first 2-3 days before gradually improving. Complete recovery, including normal bowel function, may take 1-2 weeks. Factors affecting duration include your immune status, bacterial load, and promptness of supportive care. Some people may experience lingering fatigue or digestive sensitivity for several weeks following acute illness.

How to Prevent Campylobacter Infection

Effective prevention strategies include:

• Cook poultry thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 74°C (165°F)
• Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards for raw meat
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after handling raw poultry or pet animals
• Drink pasteurised milk and avoid raw dairy products
• Use safe water sources and avoid untreated well water
• Practice good hygiene when caring for pets or farm animals
• Store and refrigerate foods promptly at safe temperatures (below 5°C/41°F)

When to Consult a Doctor or Gastroenterologist

Consult healthcare providers immediately if you develop severe Campylobacter symptoms including bloody diarrhoea, high fever, or dehydration signs. Seek gastroenterology consultation if symptoms persist beyond two weeks, recurrent infections, or suspected complications like reactive arthritis. Immunocompromised individuals should seek prompt medical evaluation for any suspected Campylobacter infection due to increased complication risks.

Conclusion

Understanding Campylobacter infection empowers you to protect your family's health through proper food safety practices and early symptom recognition. Most infections resolve completely with appropriate care, but knowing when to seek medical attention ensures optimal outcomes.

At Metropolis Healthcare, we support your health journey with comprehensive diagnostic services designed around your needs. Our extensive portfolio of over 4,000 tests includes specialised stool cultures and antigen detection for accurate Campylobacter diagnosis. With our convenient at-home sample collection service spanning 10,000+ touchpoints across India, you can access reliable testing without leaving your home.

Take charge of your digestive health today. Book your home sample collection today and experience healthcare designed around your needs.

FAQs

What is the most common cause of Campylobacter infection?

Consuming undercooked or contaminated poultry represents the leading cause of Campylobacter infection. Cross-contamination during food preparation and consuming unpasteurised dairy products are other significant sources.

What are the first signs of Campylobacter?

Initial Campylobacter symptoms typically include fever, general malaise, and abdominal cramping, followed by diarrhoea within 24-48 hours. Some people may experience nausea and headache early in the infection.

Is Campylobacter infection contagious?

Yes, Campylobacter can spread person-to-person through the faecal-oral route, particularly with poor hand hygiene. However, foodborne transmission remains far more common than direct human transmission.

How long does Campylobacter last?

Most Campylobacter infections resolve within 5-7 days with supportive care. Complete recovery, including normal digestive function, typically occurs within 1-2 weeks in healthy individuals.

What foods commonly cause Campylobacter?

Campylobacter causes can be attributed to undercooked poultry, unpasteurised milk, contaminated water, and cross-contaminated foods. Raw or undercooked chicken poses the highest risk for Campylobacter infection.

Can Campylobacter be cured?

While there's no specific cure, most infections resolve naturally with supportive care. Antibiotics may be prescribed for severe cases or high-risk patients to prevent complications.

Do antibiotics help Campylobacter?

Antibiotics can reduce symptom duration and prevent complications in severe cases, but they're not routinely prescribed for uncomplicated infections. The decision depends on symptom severity and patient risk factors.

How to prevent Campylobacter infection from poultry?

Cook chicken to 74°C internal temperature, avoid cross-contamination, wash hands after handling raw poultry, and store chicken properly. These measures significantly reduce Campylobacter transmission risk.

References

• https://www.cdc.gov/campylobacter/index.html
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/food-poisoning/
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15251-campylobacter-infection