Campylonacteriosis

Prevention

According to studies cited by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Campylobacter has been found in a significant percent of uncooked commercial chicken, raw veal, and raw ground beef. Because of these high contamination rates, it is very important to cook all meat thoroughly before you eat it, to wash your hands after handling raw meat, and to wash kitchen countertops and utensils thoroughly after they have been used to prepare meat. You also can help to reduce your risk by never drinking unpasteurized milk or untreated water.

If your pet becomes sick with diarrhea, wash your hands thoroughly after you have cared for it. Keep sick pets away from infants, elderly family members, and family members with weakened immune systems.

Treatment

The first goal in treating Campylobacter-related diarrhea is to replace lost body fluids and electrolytes (chemical substances involved in many body processes). If you have severe diarrhea, you may be at risk of developing dehydration. To treat your dehydration, your doctor will prescribe oral or intravenous (IV) fluids. Because Campylobacter infections are usually self-limited, your doctor may not treat you with an antibiotic if you are otherwise healthy. However, antibiotic treatment is usually necessary in the following situations:

• You have severe symptoms, including high fever, bloody diarrhea, and more than eight stools per day.

• Your symptoms persist or worsen after seven days.

• You have an underlying illness that weakens the immune system.

• Laboratory cultures have identified Campylobacter bacteria in your blood.

C. jejuni infections respond to a variety of antibiotics. The most commonly used antibiotics are erythromycin (numerous brand names), azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and levofloxacin (Levaquin). Doctors also may prescribe an antidiarrheal medication.