Campylobacter - Frequently Asked Questions
What is campylobacter?
Campylobacter is a spiral shaped bacterium and is the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK. Symptoms include severe diarrhoea, stomach pains and cramps, fever and sometimes vomiting.
Who gets campylobacter?
Anyone can get campylobacter, but children under 5 years of age, those over 60 and people who work with farm animals or in the meat industry and travellers to developing countries are at greater risk.
How do I get infected with campylobacter?
You usually get infected by eating contaminated food. Campylobacter is found in most raw poultry and is common in raw meat. Mushrooms and shellfish can also be contaminated but this is unusual. Avoid storing raw and cooked foods together and don’t use the same work surfaces, or utensils when preparing raw and cooked food.
You can also get campylobacter from infected pets and other animals.
It is impossible to tell from its appearance whether food is contaminated with campylobacter. It will look, smell and taste normal so correct handling and cooking are very important.
How can you avoid getting infected with campylobacter?
Do not wash raw chicken - it can spread bacteria onto hands, work surfaces, clothing and kitchen equipment.
Keep cooked food away from raw food
Store raw foods at the bottom of the fridge and below cooked or ready-to-eat foods
Cook food thoroughly, especially meat, so that it is piping hot as this will destroy any campylobacter. Chicken must be steaming hot all the way through before serving, with no pink meat. Juices must run clear.
Keep all kitchen surfaces and equipment, including knives, chopping boards and dish cloths thoroughly clean.
Do not drink untreated water from lakes, rivers or streams.
You should pay special attention to hygiene during farm visits, washing hands after any contact with animals, and only eating in designated areas.
Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water:
- After handling raw food – raw chicken, raw meat, raw vegetables etc.
- Before preparing and eating food
- After going to the toilet or changing a baby’s nappy
- After contact with pets and other animals,
- After working in the garden
If someone has campylobacter, wash all dirty clothes, bedding and towels in the washing machine on the hottest cycle possible. Clean toilet seats, toilet bowls, flush handles, taps and wash hand basins after use with detergent and hot water, followed by a household disinfectant.
What are the symptoms of campylobacter and how long do they last?
Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pains and cramps, fever and generally feeling unwell.
They usually develop within 2-5 days, but can take as long as 10 days.
Most cases start to clear up after 2-3 days of diarrhoea and 80-90% settles within 1 week.
In a small number of cases it can lead to irritable bowel syndrome, reactive arthritis and Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Treatment
Most people who have campylobacter recover without treatment within 2-5 days, although it can sometimes take up to 10 days to get better. It is important to drink plenty of fluids as diarrhoea or vomiting can lead to dehydration and you can lose important sugars and minerals from your body. Your doctor may recommend a re-hydration solution available from your pharmacist.
If you feel sick, take small sips of fluid frequently.
Avoid tea, coffee, carbonated drinks and alcohol.
Always dilute sugary drinks even if you would not normally dilute them.
A simple painkiller like paracetamol can help combat any pain.
If the infection is very severe you may be given antibiotics. If you are given antibiotics it is essential that you complete the course as prescribed.
Do you need to stay off school or work?
Yes. While you are ill and have symptoms you are infectious.
Do not return to school or work until 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped and you are feeling well.
You should tell your employer that you have campylobacter if you work with vulnerable groups of people such as the elderly, children, those in poor health or if you handle food.
Public Health England
We provide advice on controlling outbreaks. We look for the source of the infection; for example food that is responsible, so that we can help to prevent other people from becoming infected. We also monitor outbreaks of campylobacter and look for any patterns or trends which show possible connections between the people who are affected.
Where can I get further advice?
If you have concerns about your health see your family doctor or pharmacist.
