Campylobacter is a type of bacteria that infects the gastrointestinal tract and is usually transmitted in contaminated food or water. This includes meats (especially chicken), water taken from contaminated sources (mountain streams or rivers near where animals graze), and milk or milk products that haven't been pasteurized. Household pets may also carry Campylobacter and can pass the bacteria to their owners. Although less common, person-to-person transmission can occur when someone comes in direct contact with fecal material from a person who's infected, especially a diapered child.

There are many species of the bacteria. In the United States, the species Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) infects between 1 and 2 million people each year and is responsible for 99% of Campylobacter infections. Of all types of bacteria, C. jejuni is the leading cause of diarrhea worldwide and the second most common cause in the United States. Those most commonly affected are children under 1 year old, teens, and young adults.

C. jejuni is often found in the intestines of many wild and domestic animals. These animals pass the bacteria in their feces and can contaminate food, water, or milk that's consumed by people. Once inside the human digestive system, C. jejuni infects and attacks the lining of both the small and large intestines.

Besides C. jejuni, other species of Campylobacter bacteria may also cause illness. One species is Campylobacter fetus (C. fetus), which looks like C. jejuni but usually attacks newborn babies or people with weakened immune systems. C. fetus also causes a more severe illness, which typically requires prolonged treatment with antibiotics.

In addition to the gastrointestinal tract, Campylobacter can also affect other parts of the body. Bacteremia may occur, which means that the bacteria can circulate in the bloodstream. This is more common in very young and very old patients, and in those with chronic illnesses or weak immune systems. This condition may resolve without symptoms, or it may affect a variety of organs, depending on the patient.

In rare cases, an unusual form of arthritis may follow a Campylobacter infection. There are also reports that infection with the bacteria has provoked Guillain-Barre syndrome, a serious illness that affects the nervous system.

Signs and Symptoms
The main symptoms of Campylobacter infection are fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea that's generally mild, but may also be severe. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which should be closely monitored. Signs of dehydration include: thirst, irritability, restlessness, lethargy, sunken eyes, dry mouth and tongue, dry skin, decreased urinary frequency, and (in infants) a dry diaper for several hours.

In cases of Campylobacter infections, the diarrhea is initially watery, but it may later contain blood and mucus. Sometimes, the abdominal pain appears to be a more significant symptom than the diarrhea. When this happens, the infection may be mistaken for appendicitis or a problem with the pancreas.

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