Campylobacter infection
What is campylobacter infection?
Campylobacter infection (also known as campylobacteriosis) is an infection of the digestive tract (or gut), caused by Campylobacter bacteria.
Around half of all reported bacterial gastrointestinal infections in Western Australia are due to Campylobacter infection.
How do I get campylobacter infection?
Campylobacter can be found in the gut and faeces (poo) of animals and is commonly found in or on raw poultry.
You become infected with Campylobacter by taking in the bacteria through your mouth. This can be by:
- eating contaminated, undercooked meat, especially chicken
- drinking contaminated water or unpasteurised milk
- eating food (such as salad) that has been cross-contaminated with Campylobacter from raw meats/poultry
- handling young pets, other animals, raw meat and pet meat
- person-to-person spread. Although less common, this can still happen when there is contact with microscopic amounts of faeces from an ill person. Such spread may occur directly by close personal contact, or indirectly by touching contaminated surfaces such as taps, toilet flush buttons, toys and nappies.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms start 1 to 10 days (usually 2 to 5 days) after you have taken in the bacteria and usually last for 3 to 6 days.
Symptoms can include:
- diarrhoea (which may also contain mucus and/or blood)
- stomach cramps (may be similar to appendicitis pain)
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting
- fever.
How do I know if I have campylobacter infection?
There are many causes of gastroenteritis, and laboratory testing of a faecal specimen is necessary to confirm that symptoms are due to Campylobacter infection.
Treatment of campylobacter infection
People with confirmed or suspected Campylobacter infection should:
- Drink plenty of fluids such as plain water or oral rehydration drinks (available from pharmacies) to avoid dehydration. Dehydration is especially dangerous for babies and the elderly.
- Avoid anti-vomiting or anti-diarrhoeal medications unless prescribed or recommended by a doctor.
If you experience severe or prolonged symptoms you should visit a doctor.
While you have the infection
- Do not go to work or school for at least 24 hours after symptoms have finished, or 48 hours if you work in or attend a high risk setting, such as health-care, residential care or child-care, or handle food as part of your job.
- Wash and dry your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet.
- Avoid preparing or handling food for other people until symptoms have resolved. If you must prepare or handle food, thoroughly wash your hands beforehand to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.
- Immediately remove and wash any clothes or bedding contaminated with vomit or diarrhoea using detergent and hot water.
- After an episode of diarrhoea or vomiting, clean contaminated surfaces (for example benches, floors and toilets) immediately using detergent and hot water. Then disinfect surfaces using a bleach-based product diluted according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Clean carpet or soft furnishings contaminated with diarrhoea or vomit immediately using detergent and hot water and then steam clean.
How can campylobacter infection be prevented?
- Avoid contact with people who have gastroenteritis symptoms.
- Wash and dry your hands thoroughly after changing nappies, going to the toilet, cleaning up vomit or diarrhoea, or handling animals, and before eating or drinking. If hand-washing facilities are not available use an alcohol-based gel.
- Do not wash raw chicken meat.
- Raw meats and poultry can contain Campylobacter bacteria. Keep raw foods separate from cooked and ready-to-eat foods (for example salads) to prevent cross-contamination. Store raw meat below ready-to-eat food in the refrigerator and use separate chopping boards and knives for raw and ready-to-eat foods.
- Cook meat and poultry thoroughly to a temperature of 75°C or until meat juices run clear and are not pink.
- Keep cold food below 5°C and hot food above 60°C.
- Animal faeces can contaminate children’s sandpits. Cover sandpits when not in use.
When travelling
When travelling to developing countries, especially in Asia, the Pacific islands, Africa, the Middle East and Central and South America you should avoid:
- salads
- raw or cold seafood, including shellfish
- raw or runny eggs
- cold meat
- unpasteurised milk and dairy products (including ice-cream)
- ice in drinks and flavoured ice blocks.
Fruit that you peel yourself is usually safe. Remember - 'cook it, boil it, peel it, or leave it'.
Use bottled water or disinfect water (by boiling, chemical treatment or purifiers) for drinking and brushing teeth.
Where to get help
Remember
- Safe food preparation and thorough cooking, and washing your hands after contact with raw meats and animals can help prevent Campylobacter infection.
Acknowledgements
Public Health
This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.