Campylobacter gastroenteritis is one of the most common bacterial infections that causes diarrhea worldwide. If you’ve ever had severe stomach cramps with diarrhea after eating contaminated food, you might have experienced this infection. Understanding Campylobacter can help you recognize symptoms early and know when to seek treatment.

What Is Campylobacter Gastroenteritis?

Campylobacter gastroenteritis is an infection of your digestive system caused by Campylobacter bacteria. These bacteria are one of the leading causes of bacterial diarrhea, especially in children (1).

The most common type is Campylobacter jejuni, which causes most infections. The bacteria infect your intestines and cause inflammation, leading to diarrhea and other uncomfortable symptoms.

In some regions, Campylobacter is found in up to 17.4% of children with diarrhea. Children under two years old get infected more often than older children.

Fact
Campylobacter is one of the four key causes of diarrheal diseases globally. It’s considered the most common bacterial cause of human gastroenteritis in the world.

Symptoms of Campylobacter Infection

Symptoms of Campylobacter gastroenteritis usually start 2 to 5 days after you’re exposed to the bacteria. However, they can begin anywhere from 1 to 10 days after exposure.

Common Symptoms

The most common symptoms include:

  • Diarrhea (often bloody)
  • Fever
  • Stomach cramps and pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache
  • Muscle pain

Studies show that without treatment, diarrhea typically lasts about 2.6 to 3.4 days. With antibiotic treatment, it may shorten to 1.4 to 1.5 days (2, 3).

When Symptoms Are More Severe

Some people develop more severe symptoms, especially if they have bloody diarrhea (dysentery). In children with dysentery, early treatment with antibiotics can be particularly helpful.

Research shows that children given antibiotics within 48 hours of symptom onset often improve faster. In one study, 36% of children had normal stools after just 2 days of treatment, compared to none in the group without antibiotics (4).

Warning
If you have bloody diarrhea, high fever (over 101.5°F), or signs of dehydration, seek medical care immediately. These symptoms may indicate a more serious infection requiring prompt treatment.

How Do You Get Campylobacter?

Campylobacter bacteria spread through several routes, with contaminated food being the most common source.

Main Sources of Infection

You can get Campylobacter from:

  • Eating undercooked poultry (especially chicken)
  • Drinking unpasteurized milk
  • Consuming contaminated water
  • Contact with infected animals
  • Cross-contamination in the kitchen

Temperature and weather also play a role. Higher temperatures and increased rainfall are linked to more Campylobacter infections (5).

Person-to-Person Spread

While foodborne transmission is most common for bacterial infections, Campylobacter can sometimes spread from person to person. This happens through the fecal-oral route, especially in settings with poor hygiene.

In long-term care facilities, bacterial outbreaks are mainly foodborne (52% of cases), while viral outbreaks more commonly spread person-to-person (6).

Who’s at Higher Risk?

While anyone can get Campylobacter gastroenteritis, some groups face higher risks or more severe illness.

Children

Young children, especially those under 2 years old, are more likely to get Campylobacter infections. In South Asia, detection rates in children with diarrhea range from 3.2% to 17.4% (1).

Travelers

People traveling to areas with poor sanitation face increased risk. Campylobacter is a common cause of traveler’s diarrhea, especially in Thailand and other parts of Asia.

In Thailand, Campylobacter organisms are frequently resistant to common antibiotics. Studies found over 50% resistance to fluoroquinolone antibiotics like ciprofloxacin (7).

People with Weakened Immune Systems

Those with compromised immune systems may experience more severe or prolonged infections. They may also be at higher risk for complications.

Note
Even healthy people can get severe Campylobacter infections. The severity often depends on the amount of bacteria consumed and the person’s overall health at the time of infection.

Diagnosis

If your doctor suspects Campylobacter infection, they’ll typically order tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Stool Culture

The traditional method for diagnosing Campylobacter is stool culture. However, this can take several days for results.

Newer Testing Methods

Multiplex PCR panels can now test for many pathogens at once, including Campylobacter. These newer tests are faster and may detect infections that traditional cultures miss (8).

Studies show these multiplex panels find Campylobacter in about 11.8% of positive gastroenteritis cases (9).

Treatment Options

Treatment for Campylobacter gastroenteritis remains controversial. While the bacteria are usually sensitive to antibiotics, studies show mixed results about whether antibiotics actually help.

When Antibiotics May Help

Antibiotics appear most beneficial when:

  • Started early (within the first few days of symptoms)
  • Used for bloody diarrhea (dysentery)
  • Given to high-risk patients

Early treatment with antibiotics can shorten the duration of symptoms. However, when treatment starts 4 or more days after symptom onset, antibiotics may not change the course of illness (10).

Antibiotic Resistance Concerns

Campylobacter resistance to antibiotics is increasing, especially to fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin. In some areas, over 85% of Campylobacter strains are resistant to these antibiotics.

Azithromycin has become a preferred treatment in areas with high resistance. Studies show it’s more effective than ciprofloxacin for treating Campylobacter in regions with resistance (11).

Supportive Care

For most people, supportive care is the main treatment:

  • Drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
  • Using oral rehydration solutions
  • Resting
  • Eating bland foods as tolerated
Tip
Stay hydrated by taking small, frequent sips of water or oral rehydration solution. If you can’t keep fluids down, seek medical care as you may need IV fluids.

Complications

While most people recover fully from Campylobacter infection, some develop complications weeks or even months later.

Reactive Arthritis

About 9 to 12 out of every 1,000 people with Campylobacter infection develop reactive arthritis. This causes joint pain and swelling, usually in the knees, ankles, or feet (12).

Post-Infectious IBS

About 12% of people develop irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) after Campylobacter infection. The risk is about 5 times higher in people who had gastroenteritis compared to those who didn’t (13).

Guillain-Barré Syndrome

This rare but serious complication affects the nervous system. It can cause muscle weakness and paralysis. While rare, Campylobacter is the most common infectious trigger for this syndrome.

Heart Complications

Very rarely, Campylobacter can cause heart inflammation (myocarditis or pericarditis). Young people who develop these complications often show improvement within 2-4 days of appropriate treatment (14).

Fact
Taking antibiotics may increase the risk of developing reactive arthritis after Campylobacter infection in some cases. This is one reason why antibiotics aren’t always recommended for uncomplicated cases.

Prevention

You can reduce your risk of Campylobacter infection by following food safety practices.

Safe Food Handling

  • Cook poultry to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)
  • Don’t wash raw chicken (this can spread bacteria)
  • Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and other foods
  • Wash hands after handling raw poultry
  • Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours

Safe Drinking Water

  • Drink only treated or boiled water when traveling
  • Avoid ice in drinks in areas with poor sanitation
  • Don’t swallow water when swimming in lakes or pools

Other Prevention Tips

  • Drink only pasteurized milk and dairy products
  • Wash hands after contact with animals
  • Avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen

When to See a Doctor

Most cases of Campylobacter gastroenteritis resolve on their own. However, you should seek medical care if you have:

  • Bloody diarrhea
  • High fever (over 101.5°F or 38.6°C)
  • Signs of dehydration (dizziness, dry mouth, little urination)
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea lasting more than 3 days
  • Inability to keep fluids down
Warning
Young children, elderly adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems should see a doctor sooner, as they’re at higher risk for complications.

Living with Campylobacter Infection

If you have Campylobacter gastroenteritis, there are steps you can take to feel better and prevent spreading the infection.

During the Illness

  • Rest as much as possible
  • Drink clear fluids frequently
  • Eat bland foods like rice, toast, and bananas when able
  • Avoid dairy products until fully recovered
  • Don’t prepare food for others while sick

Preventing Spread to Others

  • Wash hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom
  • Stay home from work or school until symptoms resolve
  • Don’t swim in pools or lakes while having diarrhea
  • Clean and disinfect bathroom surfaces regularly

Conclusion

Campylobacter gastroenteritis is a common bacterial infection that causes diarrhea and stomach pain. While most people recover without treatment, some benefit from antibiotics, especially when started early.

Prevention through safe food handling is your best defense. Cook poultry thoroughly, avoid cross-contamination, and practice good hygiene.

If you develop severe symptoms or belong to a high-risk group, don’t hesitate to seek medical care. Early treatment can prevent complications and help you recover faster.

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