Campylobacter enteritis

Causes and Risks:
Campylobacter enteritis is a common cause of intestinal infection and also a cause of one of the many types of traveler's diarrhea . It is usually acquired by eating or drinking contaminated food such as eggs, poultry, milk, or water. It can also be acquired by close contact with sick people or animals. There is an incubation period of 2 to 4 days before symptoms occur. Symptoms generally last less than 1 week. The incidence is 1 out of 1,000 people. Risk factors include recent family infection with campylobacter, recent consumption of improperly prepared food, or recent travel in an area of poor hygiene or sanitation.

Prevention:
Avoid improperly prepared foods and practice sanitary food preparation.

Symptoms:



Signs and Tests:



Treatment:
The infection usually resolves on its own, but symptoms respond well to antibiotic therapy with erythromycin or ciprofloxacin.

Self-care measures to avoid dehydration include drinking electrolyte solutions to replace the fluids lost by diarrhea . People with diarrhea who are unable to take fluids orally because of nausea may need medical attention and intravenous fluids, especially children. People taking diuretics need to be cautious with diarrhea and may need to stop taking the diuretic during the acute episode as directed by the health care provider.

Prognosis:
Most people recover in 5 to 8 days.

Complications:
Immunosuppressed people with this condition are more susceptible to sepsis , endocarditis , meningitis , and thrombophlebitis .

Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if diarrhea recurs or persists for more than a week, or if blood in the stool is noted.


Campylobacter jejuni infection causes gastritis, gastric ulcers, and diarrhea. It is being recognized with increased frequency. This is what Campylobacter organisms look like through a microscope. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)



This illustration shows the major organs of the digestive system. Their relative sizes and positioning in the body are also demonstrated.