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How do you get Campylobacter?
Most Campylobacter infections are probably acquired by eating raw or undercooked poultry or eating something that touched it. Campylobacter are also transmitted by other foods, including seafood, meat, and produce; by contact with animals; and by drinking untreated water.
Where is Campylobacter jejuni found?
Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) bacteria are found naturally in the intestines of poultry, cattle, swine, rodents, wild birds and household pets like cats and dogs. The bacteria have also been found in untreated surface water (caused by fecal matter in the environment) and manure.
How does Campylobacter cause disease in humans?
They can pass to humans when animal feces (poop) contaminate food, meats (especially chicken), water (streams or rivers near where animals graze), and unpasteurized (raw) milk. Once inside the human digestive system, Campylobacter infect and attack the lining of the small and large intestines.
Which disease is caused by Campylobacter jejuni?
| Campylobacteriosis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Campylobacter food poisoning – campylobacter enteritis |
| Specialty | Infectious disease |
| Symptoms | Diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever |
| Complications | toxic megacolon, dehydration, sepsis, Guillain–Barré syndrome |
How serious is Campylobacter jejuni?
It is considered to be the most common bacterial cause of human gastroenteritis in the world. Campylobacter infections are generally mild, but can be fatal among very young children, elderly, and immunosuppressed individuals. Campylobacter species can be killed by heat and thoroughly cooking food.
Where is Campylobacter most commonly found?
Campylobacter species are widely distributed in most warm-blooded animals. They are prevalent in food animals such as poultry, cattle, pigs, sheep and ostriches; and in pets, including cats and dogs. The bacteria have also been found in shellfish.
How is Campylobacter jejuni spread from person to person?
Both animals and people can be carriers of C. jejuni bacteria. They can then spread the bacteria to foods, surfaces, other animals or people. Food and beverages can become contaminated when handled by an infected person, or from cross-contamination when raw foods or pets are handled improperly.
How can you get Campylobacter from contaminated food?
You usually get it from eating contaminated food, especially raw or undercooked poultry. You can also get it from drinking contaminated water or raw milk, or handling infected animal feces (poop). Some infected people don’t have any symptoms.
Where does Campylobacter bacteria live in the body?
The bacteria usually live in the digestive systems of animals, including poultry and cattle. Unpasteurized milk can also have campylobacter bacteria. Campylobacteriosis usually develops in isolated cases. Sometimes, though, there can be an outbreak when several people have the same infection.
How is a Campylobacter infection diagnosed and treated?
Diagnosis and Treatment. Campylobacter infection is diagnosed when a laboratory test detects Campylobacter bacteria in stool, body tissue, or fluids. The test could be a culture that isolates the bacteria or a rapid diagnostic test that detects genetic material of the bacteria.