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Written for the UK Health Protection Agency:
Campylobacter
Specialist web copywriting by Freelance Copy UK about the disease campylobacter
What is Campylobacter?
Campylobacter is the name of a bacteria or germ present in some types of food and certain animals, which causes diarrhoea and other symptoms, such as:
- Vomiting
- Stomach pains and cramps
- High temperature
- General malaise
It is the most common cause of infectious intestinal disease in developed countries and is a type of food poisoning.
Where does Campylobacter come from?
Campylobacter bacteria occur naturally in the intestines of various farm, wild, and domestic animals including pets and birds. Any raw meat may be contaminated with campylobacter. Poultry, especially chicken, often carry large numbers of these bacteria without showing any sign of illness. Most raw chickens on sale are contaminated with campylobacter, making correct handling and cooking important.How is Campylobacter caught?
- By eating contaminated raw or undercooked meat and poultry
- By drinking unpasteurised and contaminated milk or contaminated water
- By eating food that has been in contact with other contaminated food, surfaces, equipment or utensils
- Through contact with infected pets and animals
- By eating contaminated mushrooms or shellfish – but this is quite rare
- Occasionally person to person spread – but this is also uncommon
You need to swallow only a few campylobacter bacteria to cause illness, and unfortunately you can't tell when food is contaminated as it looks, tastes, and smells normal.
Who can it affect?
People of all ages are vulnerable to campylobacter, but the following groups are more at risk than others: young children under five, people with occupational exposure to farm animals or meat, and travellers to developing countries. People aged between 60 and 80 years are also more susceptible.
Does Campylobacter have an incubation period?
Yes. Most cases occur within two to five days of exposure to the bacteria, with an average of three days incubation. A range of one to ten days is also possible.
Do you need to stay off work or school?
Yes. You are able to infect others with campylobacter throughout your illness, although once the acute symptoms are over the risk is very low. Most cases start to clear up after two to three days of diarrhoea and 80 to 90% settle within one week.
How do you prevent getting Campylobacter?
- By thoroughly cooking all foods especially meat through to the middle - campylobacter is destroyed by cooking
- Avoid contaminating already cooked food by preventing contact with raw food or dirty knives and chopping boards etc. Keep cooked food and raw food separate
- Drink only pasteurised milk and protect doorstep milk bottle tops from being damaged by birds (such as by covering with a yoghurt pot)
- Drink only chlorinated or bottled water, not water from lakes, rivers or streams as they may have been contaminated by wild or domesticated animals
- After going to the toilet
- After contact with pets and animals
- After changing a baby's nappy
- Before preparing and serving food
- After handling raw food
- Before eating food
- After working in the garden
If you or a member of your household has campylobacter:
- Clean the following after use, with detergent and hot water, followed by a suitable disinfectant:
- Toilet seats
- Toilet bowls
- Flush handles
- Taps and wash hand basins
- If you use a disinfectant ensure it conforms to a British standard and store it safely out of the reach of children
- Ensure all household members wash their hands thoroughly with warm water and soap after going to the toilet, and after contact with excreta, soiled clothes, bedding, and pets
- Use a separate towel
- Wash soiled clothes, bedding and towels on a hot cycle of the washing machine
Most people with campylobacter recover completely within two to five days without any specific treatment, although sometimes recovery can take up to ten days. Patients should drink plenty of fluids as long as the diarrhoea lasts. If the infection is very severe and diagnosis is made early, some form of antibiotic may be used. Your doctor will make the decision about whether antibiotics are necessary.
Written by senior freelance copywriter, Jackie Griffiths