Campylobacter
Campylobacter is a water and foodborne illness caused by bacteria. It is a common cause of tummy upsets (gastroenteritis). If you eat food or water that has campylobacter in it you can become unwell with diarrhoea and stomach pains.
How campylobacter spreads
The most common ways to become infected are:
- by handling raw or undercooked meat or poultry
- by eating contaminated raw or under-cooked food
- by drinking contaminated water, raw milk or raw milk products
- through contact with the poo (faeces) of infected birds, animals or people with campylobacter
- from touching infected surfaces such as toys, bathroom taps or doors, and nappy changing tables
- drinking contaminated roof water supplies
- from swimming or playing in contaminated water, such as rivers and lakes.
Symptoms of campylobacter
Some people do not get any symptoms. If you do, they usually appear 2 to 5 days after becoming infected. They can include:
- runny poos (diarrhoea)
- stomach pain or cramps
- feeling sick (nausea)
- throwing up (vomiting).
You may get a flu-like illness first such as:
- headache
- muscle pains
- fever
- extreme tiredness (fatigue).
Symptoms can last up to 10 days, but most people recover within one week.
Diagnosing campylobacter
Most people with campylobacter recover at home. You should see your healthcare provider if your symptoms are severe or last a long time. You may be asked to send a sample of your poo to a laboratory for testing.
The role of public health
Campylobacter is a notifiable disease. This means that healthcare providers or laboratories will inform public health when someone has it. This way public health can monitor how many people are sick and give advice on how to reduce its spread.
Staying home
Stay away from school, early childhood centres or work until 2 days after the symptoms have stopped.
Do not go swimming in a pool if you have runny poos. You need to wait until at least 2 weeks after the symptoms have gone.
Treating campylobacter
Most people can manage campylobacter at home. Drink lots of fluids to avoid dehydration. Dehydration happens when your body does not have enough fluids and salts to function properly.
You should not need any medication other than pain and fever relief.
Seek health advice if your symptoms are severe or last for a long time. You can contact your doctor or usual healthcare provider, or call Healthline for free anytime on 0800 611 116
People at risk of becoming very unwell from campylobacter may be given antibiotics.
Tamariki and older people can get very ill from campylobacter. They may need hospital treatment.
Preventing campylobacter
There are many things you can do to prevent the spread of campylobacter.