Bacterial diarrhea

Definition

Campylobacter enteritis is an infection in the small intestine caused by Campylobacter jejuni, a type of bacteria.

Alternative Names

Causes

Campylobacter enteritis is a common cause of intestinal infection. These bacteria also cause one of the many types of traveler's diarrhea.

People usually get infected by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, often raw poultry, fresh produce, or unpasteurized milk. A person can also be infected by close contact with infected people or animals. There is an incubation period of 2-4 days before symptoms start. Symptoms generally last one week.

Risk factors include recent family infection with C. jejuni, recent consumption of improperly prepared food, or recent travel in an area of poor cleanliness or sanitation.

Symptoms

• Cramping abdominal pain
• Watery diarrhea, sometimes bloody
• Fever

Exams and Tests

Positive stool culture for Campylobacter jejuni

Treatment

The infection typically goes away on its own and is not usually treated with antibiotics. Severe symptoms may respond to treatment with antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and azithromycin.

Self-care measures to avoid dehydration include drinking electrolyte solutions to replace the fluids lost by diarrhea. People with diarrhea, especially children, who are unable to take fluids by mouth because of nausea, may need medical attention and intravenous fluids.

People taking diuretics ("water pills") need to be cautious with diarrhea and may need to stop taking the medicine during the acute episode, if directed by the health care provider.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most people recover in 5-8 days.

Possible Complications

Immunosuppressed people with this condition are more vulnerable to sepsis, endocarditis, meningitis, and thrombophlebitis from the spread of the bacteria into their bloodstream.

Some patients will get a form of arthritis called Reiter's syndrome after a Campylobacter enteritis infection.

About 1 in 1,000 patients with campylobacter enteritis develop a nerve problem that results in paralysis, called Guillain-Barre syndrome. Paralysis associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome is usually temporary.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if diarrhea recurs or persists for more than a week, or if blood in the stool is noted.

Prevention

Avoid improperly prepared foods and practice sanitary food preparation. For more information please see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's campylobacter enteritis information.

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