How Are Campylobacter Infections Diagnosed?
Doctors may send a stool
sample to the lab to be tested for Campylobacter bacteria. They might
order other lab tests, especially if there's blood in the stool. If needed, a blood
test can confirm bacteremia.
How Are Campylobacter Infections Treated?
Most kids with Campylobacter infection will recover without needing medicine.
Sometimes, doctors prescribe antibiotics, especially for very young children or when
symptoms are severe or lasting. Kids should take
the antibiotics on schedule for as long as the doctor directed to make sure the infection
is gone. Do not use nonprescription medicines for diarrhea without a doctor's OK.
After seeing a doctor, most kids with Campylobacter infections can recover
at home, especially if they aren't dehydrated. They should drink plenty of fluids
for as long as the diarrhea lasts and be watched for signs of dehydration.
Kids with mild diarrhea and no dehydration should continue to eat normally and
drink lots of fluids. Fruit juices and soft drinks can make diarrhea worse, though,
and should be avoided. If your child is dehydrated, your doctor may recommend using
an oral rehydration solution. Breastfed babies who get campylobacteriosis should continue
to be breastfed throughout the illness.
Diarrhea usually stops within 2 to 5 days. Full recovery usually takes about 1
week. Sometimes, diarrhea can last longer or stop and then come back.
Can Campylobacter Infections Be Prevented?
To avoid Campylobacter infection, use drinking water that has been tested
and approved for purity (especially in developing countries) and buy only pasteurized
milk and juices. While hiking and camping, don't drink water from streams or from
sources that pass through land where animals graze.
Wash your hands well before you prepare foods and after touching raw meats, especially
poultry. Kill any bacteria in meats and eggs by cooking them thoroughly and eating
while still warm. Refrigerate leftovers promptly. Wash cutting boards, countertops,
and utensils with soap and hot water after contact with raw meat. Clean produce
— especially leafy greens — before serving.
When caring for a family member who has diarrhea, wash your hands well and often,
especially before touching other people and before eating or preparing food. Clean
and disinfect toilets after the person with diarrhea uses them. Also, if a pet dog
or cat has diarrhea, wash your hands often and check with your veterinarian about
treatment.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Call your doctor if your child:
- has diarrhea streaked with blood
- is vomiting
- shows any signs of dehydration
- has abdominal pain
- has a high fever
- feels weak or has trouble walking
With rest and home care, most kids with a Campylobacter infection quickly
make a full recovery.
Date reviewed: April 2017