Symptoms and Causes of Campylobacteriosis Disease

Causes of Campylobacteriosis Disease: Key Symptoms, Risk & Prevention strategies

Campylobacter bacteria, a leading cause of diarrhoea and foodborne illness in the global environment, cause campylobacteriosis. They reside in the digestive tract of animals and can be transferred to humans from contaminated food or water.

Symptoms usually occur 2–5 days after exposure and resolve in 3–7 days. While the majority of cases resolve in a few days, those with impaired immune systems, the youth, and senior citizens experience worse outcomes.

Keep reading to learn about the causes, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Campylobacteriosis.

What Causes Campylobacteriosis? 

Campylobacteriosis is an infection caused by bacteria of the Campylobacter genus, most commonly Campylobacter jejuni. Here are some common Campylobacteriosis causes:

1. Contact with Infected Animals : These bacteria can be carried by animals such as chickens, cows, pigs, sheep and pets without showing any symptoms. Infection occurs if food or water comes in contact with Campylobacter, which is found around animal excreta.
2. Consumption of Contaminated Food : Raw meat and vegetables that have come in contact with Campylobacter can become infected. Campylobacter can survive in unpasteurised milk but is killed by boiling or pasteurisation.
3. Drinking Contaminated Water : Campylobacter may also be spread through water supplies such as unclean taps, ice, or fruits and vegetables rinsed with unclean water. Bacteria can also be transferred through cross-contamination in the kitchen.

How Do You Get Campylobacteriosis? 

Campylobacteriosis transmission mostly occurs through raw or undercooked poultry and untreated water. Although transmission between animals is rare, human exposure, caused by proximity and inadequate sanitation, can lead to the spread of the disease.

In rural India, lack of proper sanitation and dependency on surface water for drinking processes work to increase the rate of Campylobacter infection. In urban areas, too, outbreaks have been linked to municipal water contamination.

Overall, Campylobacteriosis transmission follows the faecal-oral route. The infectious dose is so low that simple contamination can be a source of the infection.

What are the Common Symptoms of Campylobacteriosis?

Campylobacteriosis typically presents as an acute diarrheal illness. The most common symptoms are:

• Diarrhoea (often bloody)
• Abdominal cramps
• Fever

In some cases, other symptoms, apart from diarrhoea, include headache and nausea. Usually, symptoms manifest between 2 and 5 days after exposure and can last 3 to 7 days.

Fluid loss due to diarrhoea is frequently accompanied by dehydration; therefore, adequate fluids must be consumed.

What are the Complications of Campylobacteriosis?

The illness is usually self-limited and mild, but complications are possible. Complications include:

• Post-infectious Arthritis: After recovery, some individuals may experience pain in the joints and inflammation.
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS): In rare cases, Campylobacter infection is known to cause GBS, a condition in which the immune system attacks the nervous system, sometimes leading to paralysis and muscle weakness.
• Bloodstream Infection (bacteremia): The bacteria can enter the bloodstream, causing a severe illness that may require hospitalisation.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Some individuals experience long-term digestive issues following the infection.

What are the Risk Factors of Campylobacteriosis?

Certain factors raise the chance of getting a severe Campylobacter infection. Key campylobacteriosis risk factors include:

• Immune Status : Humans who have weakened immune systems, for any reason, such as HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy or diabetes, are more prone to complications from Campylobacter. Immune compromise, however small, increases the chances of suffering illness for a longer time.
• Animal or Occupational Exposure : Working with livestock or handling poultry in farms or slaughterhouses can increase exposure to Campylobacter. Pet owners are also at risk of infection. Dogs and cats can play host to Campylobacter with no present symptoms.
• Traveling : Campylobacteriosis has been reported to be widespread among travellers and migrants who have exposure to poor sanitation or eating measures. Campylobacter infection is a common cause of travellers’ diarrhoea.
• Food and Water Sources : Raw or half-cooked poultry and meat are the primary carriers of Campylobacter. Untreated water supplies, unpasteurised dairy products, and unwashed raw produce irrigated with unsafe water can transmit Campylobacteriosis. The incidence of infection is high during the warmer months, as bacteria grow better during this time.
• Sanitation and Hygiene : The absence of safe drinking water and insufficient toilets increases the chances of spreading bacteria. Open defecation or sewage leaks can spoil water supplies, putting anyone drinking them at risk for infection.

What is the Diagnosis of Campylobacteriosis?

Doctors diagnose Campylobacteriosis by testing stool samples, via the following tests:

• Stool Culture: A test for detecting the Campylobacter bacteria in a stool sample in a laboratory.
• PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Test: An advanced procedure that scans for bacterial DNA at high speed and exactness.
• Blood Tests: In severe cases of infection, blood tests are used to check for bacteria entering the bloodstream.

What is the Treatment for Campylobacteriosis?

Listed below are a few treatment options for Campylobacteriosis:

• Electrolyte Replacement: Electrolyte supplementation to your diet using drinks or supplements like oral rehydration solutions.
• Antibiotics: Antibiotic treatment is not usually necessary, but should be recommended for severe illness or during high-risk circumstances.
• Anti-diarrheal Medications: Although medications like loperamide may help, they should be used cautiously and only under a doctor's guidance.

How to Prevent Campylobacteriosis?

Listed below are a few tips to prevent Campylobacteriosis:

1. Handwashing and Kitchen Hygiene : Wash your hands with soap and water each time you eat, go to the toilet, or work with raw meat or animals. Clean all kitchen surfaces and utensils with hot, soapy water after they touch raw meat.
2. Cook Meat Thoroughly : Ensure all poultry, meat, and eggs are well-cooked. In India, cooking from open flames usually guarantees full heating, but you must be careful with dishes as kebab or biryani, where undercooked parts may not be obvious.
3. Consider Pasteurised Dairy Products : Do not drink raw milk or any dairy product that isn’t pasteurised.
4. Drink Water Safely : Use boiled or filtered water when drinking, cooking, or washing your mouth. In rural areas, ensure that well water is boiled, solar disinfected, or chlorinated. Urban water can be from municipal sources or filtered units, but it's better to boil it when travelling to new places.
5. Manage Animal Waste : Reduce animal waste by composting or burying it, and always use latrines for human waste to prevent water and food contamination.
6. Ensure Street Food Hygiene : Look for street vendors who ensure personal hygiene. Only consume salads or raw garnishes if the water used is safe.

Campylobacteriosis is a vector-borne disease that often resolves within a few days; however, if severe symptoms are present, medical care is essential. In such critical times, it’s wise to have insurance to safeguard your health and finances.

At Star Health, we offer coverage for vector-borne diseases under our general insurance policies. We also provide hassle-free claim settlements with reduced turnaround time across over 14,000 network hospitals in India.