Campylobacter. Healthcare information

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1 Campylobacter Healthcare information

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3 Campylobacter Campylobacter are germs (bacteria) that can infect the bowel. It is one of the commonest causes of infectious diarrhoea in the UK. This leaflet outlines the causes and proides practical adice on how to aoid infection. What is it and where does it come from? The bacteria are found naturally in the bowel of many kinds of farm animals such as chickens and cattle. They are also found in the bowel of birds and household pets. They cause problems in humans when they get into food, water or milk and are ingested. What is the incubation period? The time between swallowing the bacteria and symptoms starting (the incubation time) is between 2 and 5 days but can be as long as 11 days. Campylobacter 3

4 What are the symptoms? Symptoms include: Diarrhoea - sometimes with blood Abdominal/stomach cramps Feer Nausea and/or omiting (omiting is less common) Symptoms usually settle within 7 days but in a small number of people the symptoms may last longer. Is medicine needed? Most people get better without special treatment and antibiotics may make the symptoms last longer. As with all infections which cause diarrhoea and omiting, young children and the elderly most easily become dehydrated and may require rehydration drinks. If you hae any worries about symptoms you should contact your family doctor. 4 Campylobacter

5 How is Campylobacter spread? The infection is usually spread through the following routes: Direct contact with infected animals, or their faeces Eating raw or undercooked meat (especially poultry such as chicken) contaminated with the bacteria Undercooked minced products such as beef burgers as the bacteria is transferred form the outside to the inside Storing/ sering food at the wrong temperature will allow the bacteria to multiply. Food should be kept cold or sered piping hot. Drinking unpasteurised (raw) milk milk from bottles where the top has been pecked by birds untreated water contaminated with the bacteria Not washing your hands thoroughly after touching infected animals, both farm and domestic, especially young animals under 6 months of age Campylobacter can be found on many uncooked meats and kitchen equipment used to prepare raw meat or poultry such as knies and chopping boards The risk of the infected person passing the infection on to others is fairly low. Howeer the infection can be spread within families, playgroups and where there is a breakdown in hygiene practices An infected person may contaminate food if they do not wash their hands properly before preparing, cooking or sering food Campylobacter 5

6 How can infection be preented? Always to ensure that your food (especially chicken) is cooked thoroughly and eenly, and is piping hot when sered. Coer foods when storing them in the refrigerator, with cooked foods stored aboe raw foods. Any foods to be defrosted should be coered and placed on the bottom shelf. Do not drink untreated water from riers and lakes. Aoid drinking unpasteurised milk and also milk from bottles where birds hae pecked through the caps. If you hae had problems with birds pecking your milk bottle tops, keep the tops protected. Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and warm water after eery isit to the toilet, changing nappies, before preparing or eating food and after touching pets or farm animals. Young children may need superision to make sure that they wash their hands properly. Are people with Campylobacter infection excluded for work or school or nursery? Anyone with diarrhoea, including people with a campylobacter infection, should remain off work or school until they hae had no symptoms for 48 hours. 6 Campylobacter

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8 NHS Lanarkshire Health Protection Team Fallside Road Bothwell G72 8BB Telephone Facsimile If you need this information in another language or format, please contact the NHS Lanarkshire General Enquiry Line on or Pub. date: February 2012 Reiew date: February 2014 Issue No: 02 Dept: Health Protection Team PIL.CAMPYL L Design - Medical Illustration, NHS Lanarkshire