Campylobacter Poisoning Symptoms - Campylobacteriosis Treatment
Campylobacters are a class of bacteria that can cause severe diarrhea in humans. In the United States, campylobacteriosis is the second most common food-borne diarrheal disease after salmonellosis. Every year, about 2.4 million Americans experience mild to severe campylobacteriosis, and about 120 of them die due to complications. The most common sources of campylobacteriosis are consumption of raw or undercooked poultry and meat, exposure to contaminated water and close contact with infected pets.
Campylobacteriosis: Symptoms
Campylobacters are more contagious than some other types of bacteria because only a small amount of the microorganism is needed to sicken a healthy individual. Thus, even a single drop of juice from a contaminated raw chicken can cause the onset of campylobacteriosis symptoms. The incubation period of this disease is relatively short, with most victims noticing the first signs of campylobacteriosis within two to five days after being exposed to the bacteria.
The main symptoms of campylobacteriosis are similar to those of most other diarrheal infections and may include:
- Severe diarrhea
- Abdominal discomfort
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Fever
Campylobacteriosis: Treatment
In the vast majority of campylobacteriosis cases, the disease is mild and victims recover within five to seven days without a specific therapy. During the acute phase of campylobacteriosis, it is important to drink plenty of fluids to replace the electrolytes and minerals the body is losing through diarrhea and vomiting. In cases whereby campylobacteriosis produces especially uncomfortable symptoms, doctors might prescribe antibiotics (such as erythromycin or fluoroquinolones) to shorten the duration of the disease.
Campylobacteriosis: Complications
While healthy individuals typically recover completely from campylobacteriosis within 10 days, people with compromised immune systems are at an increased risk of developing serious complications. Some of the individuals who are especially vulnerable include pregnant women, newborns, cancer patients and people living with organ transplants. In immunocompromised people, campylobacteriosis can enter the bloodstream, causing a potentially life-threatening blood poisoning. Other serious side effects include brain infection, urinary tract infection and arthritis.
In addition, hundreds if not thousands of campylobacteriosis patients experience Guillain-Barre syndrome each year. This condition typically develops two weeks after the onset of diarrhea. In individuals with Guillain-Barre syndrome, the body attacks its own nerve cells, causing paralysis of the muscles. Depending on the extent of the paralysis, Guillain-Barre syndrome patients might require extensive hospitalization for weeks or months. In many cases, victims are left with some extent of long-term paralysis.
Campylobacteriosis: Legal Recourse
If you have been diagnosed with campylobacteriosis and believe that it was caused by a campylobacter-contaminated product, you might be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, time off work, lost income, as well as physical and emotional distress. Contact the law offices of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz at (888) 255-2956 to discuss your case and initiate prompt legal action. By filing a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf, the attorneys of AWKO Law may be able to help you obtain compensation for your losses. In addition to handling campylobacter food poisoning cases, they have extensive experience helping victims of fish tapeworm infection, salmonella, E. coli and botulism food poisoning advance their legal rights.
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Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz
803 North Palafox St.
Pensacola, Florida 32501
55 Baybridge Dr.
Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561
