Campylobacteriosis: Frequently Asked Questions

Campylobacter jejuni is the most common cause of gastroenteritis worldwide. Campylobacter causes 5%-14% of all diarrhea that occurs worldwide. Infection occurs due to consumption of contaminated food, water or raw milk Campylobacteriosis is caused by a bacterium Campylobacter jejuni . This is one of the zoonotic diseases.

Campylobacteriosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Campylobacter. Most people who become ill with campylobacteriosis get diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and fever within 2 to 5 days after exposure to the organism. The diarrhea may be bloody and can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The illness typically lasts 1 week. Some persons who are infected with Campylobacter don't have any symptoms at all. ...

Virtually all persons infected with Campylobacter will recover without any specific treatment. Patients should drink plenty of fluids as long as the diarrhea lasts. In more severe cases, antibiotics such as erythromycin or a fluoroquinolone can be used, and can shorten the duration of symptoms if they are given early in the illness. Your doctor will make the decision about whether antibiotics are necessary.

Virtually all persons infected with Campylobacter will recover without any specific treatment. Patients should drink plenty of fluids as long as the diarrhea lasts. In more severe cases, antibiotics such as erythromycin or a fluoroquinolone can be used, and can shorten the duration of symptoms if they are given early in the illness. Your doctor will make the decision about whether antibiotics are necessary. Top Are there long-term consequences? ...

Four percent of cases are attributed to drinking water treatment failure; 14% of cases occurred in people living in a rural area and their illness may be associated with contact with farm animals; 12% have returned to New Zealand recently from abroad where they may have contracted the disease, and the remaining 70% live in urban environments where the source of their illness is probably foodborne. 7

Improvements are likely to be gradual and due to a number of measures, without one particular intervention being the ultimate solution. It is not yet clear how these will translate into reducing the levels of illness.

To learn more about how Campylobacter causes disease and is spread, CDC began a national surveillance program in 1982. A more detailed active surveillance system was instituted in 1996; this will provide more information on how often this disease occurs and what the risk factors are for getting it. CDC is also making an effort to inform the public about campylobacteriosis and ways to avoid getting this disease. The U.S. Department of Agriculture conducts research on how to prevent the infection in chickens. ...

To learn more about how Campylobacter causes disease and is spread, CDC began a national surveillance program in 1982. A more detailed active surveillance system was instituted in 1996; this will provide more information on how often this disease occurs and what the risk factors are for getting it. CDC is also making an effort to inform the public about campylobacteriosis and ways to avoid getting this disease. The U.S. Department of Agriculture conducts research on how to prevent the infection in chickens. ...