Campylobacter enteritis is a prevalent condition that occurs after ingesting food and water infected by the Campylobacter jejuni bacteria.
The bacterial infection can result to serious episodes of diarrhea. This results to loss of bodily fluids and causing pain and inflammation of the intestines and stomach.
What are the risk factors?
The potential risk factors that might increase the risk for acquiring campylobacter enteritis include:
- Ingestion of foods that are raw, partly cooked or not properly stored.
- Drinking untreated water from a well, stream or from any source.
- Residing or travelling to areas with poor sanitation
- Consumption of beverages from street vendors with poor food safety precautions
- Weakened immune system
What are the indications?
If an individual has campylobacter enteritis, diarrhea is the typical indication. The other symptoms of the condition which manifest in less than a week might include:
- Watery or mucus-streaked stools or blood-streaked stools
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Nausea and vomiting
- Drowsiness or exhaustion
Management of campylobacter enteritis
Generally, most cases of campylobacter enteritis settle within a week. The recovery period might be lengthened if there are other complications present such as severe dehydration.
- The individual should take time to rest and increase the intake of fluids.
- Dietary modifications are suggested to prevent further worsening of the condition.
- If diarrhea is serious along with vomiting, it can lead to exhaustion. In such cases, the lost fluids must be replaced intravenously especially among young children.
- Those who have a weakened immune system must be treated symptomatically but in an aggressive manner.