Campylobacter enteritis is a food borne illness caused by Campylobacter bacteria. Symptoms may include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms may be mild or severe and can last up to a week. Some people with infections may have no symptoms.
Campylobacter bacteria are found in animals, most frequently poultry and cattle. Puppies, kittens, other pets, swine, sheep, rodents and birds may also be sources of infection. Illness occurs from ingesting food or water contaminated with the bacteria or from contact with infected pets or animals. It does not take very many bacteria to cause an infection. Most raw poultry is contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni bacteria.
The period of time from when a person ingests contaminated food or water to the time they develop symptoms is usually 2 to 5 days but can range from 1 to 10 days, depending on the amount of bacteria ingested.
Revised: 2010-05-11