Campylobacters are bacteria that are a common cause of diarrhoea in Britain.
The disease
After the bacteria (germs) have been swallowed they multiply in the gut and after about 3 days symptoms develop. These usually take the form of tummy cramps, bad diarrhoea, and sometimes vomiting and fever. Sometimes there can be blood in the diarrhoea. People usually recover without treatment in three to seven days. The illness is unpleasant but only very rarely is it fatal. There is an effective antibiotic treatment, which is used for those whose diarrhoea has lasted for many days, or for unusually severe cases. The precise diagnosis is made by growing the bacteria from specimens of diarrhoea sent to a local laboratory.
Rarely, people can get painful and swollen joints (arthritis), or severe weakness and paralysis, some time after the diarrhoea.
How should the infection be treated?
People should drink plenty of fluids for as long as the diarrhoea lasts. In very severe cases antibiotics from a GP (family doctor) may help, although these usually need to be given early to have an effect.
Where does campylobacter come from?
Campylobacter can be found in the bowels of wild birds and various other animals including pets. Poultry, especially chickens, may carry large numbers of these bacteria without showing any signs of illness and they are a major source of human infection in food. Infection can also result from drinking untreated water or milk, or from direct contact with infected animals such as puppies with diarrhoea. Although the diarrhoea of people suffering from the disease is infective, spread from one person to another is unusual.
Campylobacter in food
Any raw meat, especially offal, may be contaminated with campylobacter, but chicken and turkeys are the most likely source; campylobacter can be found in many raw chickens sold in shops and supermarkets. However, the bacteria are destroyed by cooking meat until there is no blood visible in the centre of the meat. However, a small amount of cross contamination from, say, an uncooked chicken to a piece of bread may cause infection.
The size of the problem
There were approximately 46,000 cases reported in England and Wales (combined) in 2006. The true number will be much higher because only those patients who go to their doctors and have specimens taken for analysis get reported.
Campylobacter and pregnancy
Campylobacter in pregnancy should not be a risk to the baby as long as you do not become dehydrated (dry) from not drinking enough water, losing too much body water from being sick or having diarrhoea.
Campylobacter in babies and young children
Babies and young children can sometimes acquire campylobacter from poor hygiene in the kitchen, or from consuming contaminated food (see below on how to avoid). They are more likely to suffer bad effects from becoming dry, and a doctor should be asked to see a child who has bad diarrhoea.
Should a person go to work when they still have campylobacter infection?
People doing some jobs will not be allowed to go to work until the diarrhoea has been settled for two full days. Examples are people who prepare and serve drinks and food, people who work with very young children, and certain jobs in healthcare and hospitals. Guidance will be given by your doctor, environmental health officer, or your employer.
Hygiene advice
You catch the infection by swallowing the bacteria (germs).
The following advice will reduce the chance of getting infection with campylobacter. Be careful not to contaminate cooked food from uncooked meat e.g. don’t chop vegetables on a chopping board on which raw meat has been prepared – use a different chopping board. Don’t allow raw meat to touch other food in the fridge. Hands should be washed before food preparation, and immediately after touching raw meat. Do not leave food lying around for more than 15 minutes at room temperature – put it in the fridge.
Be careful when cooking and barbequing meat, as any uncooked meat may still have the bacteria in. Cook meat until there is no further blood in the juices.
If you ever get diarrhoea, you should not serve food to others. Always wash your hands after going to the toilet. If you have diarrhoea, make sure the toilet area, flush handle, taps in the sink in the toilet are carefully cleaned (with bleach, or a bleach containing agent).
Animal faeces (from pets, farm, and wild animals) is a cause of different types of infection, including food poisoning and campylobacter. Be careful not to get animal faeces on your hands. Clean hands after such contact. Wash your hands before handling food, and before eating. |
