The risks associated with campylobacter holiday illness are unknown by many nave travellers. Here are the facts:
Food poisoning caused by Campylobacter
Campylobacter is bacteria that can cause infections leading to stomach cramps, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and hot and cold temperatures. The diagnostic name for those infected is Campylobacteriosis.
Common symptoms associated with Campylobacter
The symptoms of food poisoning caused by Campylobacter will usually commence within 2 to 5 days of coming into contact with the contaminated food. The duration of the illness will vary from person to person. There will usually be an acute phase where the symptoms are serious between 2 and 10 days. But after that residual symptoms could potentially remain indefinitely.
The trademark symptoms during the acute phase of a Campylobacter infection include:
Vomiting
Stomach pains.
Abdominal cramps
Muscle aches and pains
Hot and cold fever
Diarrhoea
Feelings of nausea
Blood in stools.
What causes people to be infected with Campylobacter
Most people contract food poisoning caused by Campylobacter because they have consumed or come into contact with contaminated meat such as raw poultry and red meat such as beef. Campylobacter can also be spread by humans and there have been incidents where by large groups have been infected. Household pets and non-pasteurised milk have also been known as the source of infections.
Treatment and diagnosis for gastric illness caused by Campylobacter
Usually the first step in determining whether you have is Campylobacter is through providing your doctor or medical practice with a stool sample. Your GP will usually have to request that you provide a sample which will be sent to a microbiology lab for testing. A diagnosis can be made for Campylobacter if your stool sample tests positive.
In most cases people infected with Campylobacter will not require specialist treatment. Sufferers will usually be told by their doctors to keep to a simple grease free diet and to remain hydrated. Patients with serious symptoms may be prescribed anti-biotics including erythromycin or fluoroquinolone by their doctors.
Continuing Symptoms cased by Campylobacter Food Poisoning
The following long term symptoms have been associated with Campylobacter. These include:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (or IBS) including: long term abdominal pains; bloating; urgency of defecation; diarrhoea; and allergic reaction to certain foods.
Post Infective Arthritis including: pains to the joints and limbs including ankles, elbows, knees and fingers. The symptoms may commence after the acute phase of the illness.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome is rare condition which can attack the nervous system and is likely to result in intensive care.
Prevention of Campylobacter
Exercising high standards of food hygiene and personal cleanliness is likely to decrease the risk of contracting Campylobacter. The staff employed in restaurants and hotel kitchens should take sensible but simple precautions to prevent people from being contaminated with Campylobacter. Those precautions include:
Washing hands thoroughly using hot water and detergents prior to or after coming into contact with animals, especially raw meat.
All utensils and chopping boards should be thoroughly cleaned before and after preparing raw meats. Ideally preparation and storage of raw meat should take place in a different place to where cooked meats and other foodstuffs are prepared and stored.
Meat but particularly poultry including chicken and turkey should be cooked thoroughly. There should be no signs of blood in your chicken or turkey and if you do see signs it should be sent back.
