Campylobacter Infection | Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

 Posted on April 20, 2023 in Foodborne illness

Over 1.5 million campylobacter infection cases are reported in the United States every year, making it one of the most common causes of intestinal infection and diarrhea worldwide. While typically only a small number of people are infected with Campylobacter infection at a time, it can also occur as an outbreak, infecting hundreds and thousands of people at once.

Campylobacter is a kind of bacterial infection that can cause typical stomach flu symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. The biggest cause of Campylobacter infection is contaminated food and water. However, the Campylobacter infection is treatable, and you will start feeling better within seven to ten days of getting infected. Other names for the Campylobacter infection are Campylobacteriosis, Campylobacter, and Campylobacter Gastroenteritis. Keep reading the article to learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of Campylobacter infection.

How Can I Get Campylobacter Infection?

You can simply get the Campylobacter infection by drinking or eating something with the bacteria or by eating undercooked food such as fruits, vegetables, and meat. Foods like chicken, seafood, produce, unpasteurized dairy products, and untreated water are at a high risk of Campylobacteriosis. Furthermore, you can also get the infection from touching the poop of an infected person or animal.

People at a higher risk of Campylobacter include youngsters, older people, people suffering from cancer, immunodeficient people, chain smokers, and alcoholics.

What Are the Symptoms of Campylobacter Infection?

If you are suffering from Campylobacter infection, you will have the following symptoms:

● Fever

● Diarrhea – can be bloody

● Headache

● Stomach cramps

● Vomiting

● Nausea

● Abdominal pain

● Dehydration

However, note that not every Campylobacteriosis patient will get sick. If you have somehow come in contact with the Campylobacter bacteria, the symptoms mentioned above will start surfacing 1 to 7 days after the infection and can last for up to one week.

Campylobacteriosis is a contagious foodborne illness, which means you can easily get it from another person, touching a contaminated surface, or eating contaminated food. However, if you are suffering from a chronic illness or your immune system is weak due to chemotherapy, visit your healthcare provider and let them know about the Campylobacter symptoms.

While Campylobacteriosis resolves on its own within seven to ten days, if the patient is too old or too young and the symptoms are similar to the stomach flu, you must visit a doctor right away. The healthcare provider might prescribe you IV fluids or antibiotics like azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and erythromycin, according to your condition and medical history.

Campylobacter Infection | Diagnosis and Treatment

The Campylobacter infection is diagnosed through the stool sample test. Your healthcare provider will ask you to send a sample of your stool to the lab, and the medical technologist will test the poop sample for the Campylobacter bacteria. Know that in severe cases, Campylobacteriosis can enter your bloodstream, which can be life-threatening as it can lead to diseases such as Reactive Arthritis, Meningitis, Urinary Tract Infection, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, and Erythema Nodosum.

Like any other stomach disease, Campylobacter infection runs its course and gets treated automatically. The healthcare provider might prescribe your antibiotics and will ask you to stay hydrated. Thus, make sure to keep the intake of water, electrolytes, and juices as high as possible.

Prevention Against Campylobacter Infection

The good news is that you can protect yourself from getting Campylobacter infection by following the Campylobacteriosis prevention tips mentioned below:

● Make sure to thoroughly wash your hand after sneezing, coughing, blowing your nose, changing the diaper, using the toilet, before and after touching a patient, after touching garbage, after petting dogs and cats, and cleaning their poop.

● Disinfect the toilet after it has been used by someone suffering from Campylobacteriosis or diarrhea.

● In case you have diarrhea, try to wash your hand with soapy water frequently.

● Wash your hands before and after cooking food.

● Use separate cutting boards and utensils to prevent cross-contamination.

● Regardless of how thirsty you are, avoid drinking contaminated water or water that hasn’t been tested for purity, such as tap water.

● Eat thoroughly cooked food. If you are eating at the restaurant and the chicken or meat is pink in color, send it back.

● Clean and sanitize countertops and utensils after cooking meat. Use a mixture of hot soapy water.

● When traveling to developing countries like the Pacific Islands, Middle East, Southern and Central America, Africa, and Asia, avoid eating cold meat, runny or raw eggs, cold or raw seafood, salads, unpasteurized dairy products (especially ice cream), and flavored ice blocks. Also, use boiled or disinfected water for cooking, brushing, and drinking.

Get in Touch with a Campylobacter Food Poisoning Attorney!

While no one likes getting sick, germs, diseases, parasites, and pathogens are likely to make their way to us. From what you eat to what you drink, the surfaces you touch, and the people you come in physical contact with, you never know the type of illnesses you are exposing yourself to. Campylobacter Infection, also known as Campylobacteriosis, is one of the most common types of food poisoning in the world. As a consequence of the foodborne illness, you are left with no choice but to stay home and rest, resulting in missing work days and suffering severe pain.

Do not fear; Newland & Newland LLP lawyers have you covered. Our highly experienced lawyers will work day and night to get you the financial compensation you deserve. Contact a Campylobacter food poisoning attorney to file a lawsuit against the responsible party today.