Campylobacter Infection: Symptoms, Complications and When to Get Care

Most people infected with Campylobacter bacteria have diarrhea, which can be bloody, along with fever and stomach cramps. Some also have nausea or vomiting. Symptoms usually start 2 to 5 days after swallowing the bacteria and end within 7 days, and most people recover fully.

Complications

Sometimes the infection leads to other health problems:

• irritable bowel syndrome
• arthritis
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), in which the immune system damages the body's own nerves, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. People with GBS need hospital care.

When to get medical care

See a health care provider for:

• diarrhea or vomiting that lasts more than 2 days
• blood in stool or urine
• a fever higher than 102°F
• signs of dehydration
• signs of GBS

Dehydration

Dehydration means the body does not have enough fluid. Anyone with diarrhea or vomiting should drink plenty of fluids. Signs of dehydration include:

• urinating little or not at all, or very dark urine
• being very thirsty
• a dry mouth or throat
• feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• crying without tears

Young children can become dehydrated quickly. Give a child who has diarrhea or vomiting extra fluids, such as oral rehydration salts, right away. Do not wait.

Guillain-Barré syndrome

The first symptoms of GBS are weakness and tingling, usually felt first in both legs and then in the arms and upper body.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Symptoms of Campylobacter Infection." https://www.cdc.gov/campylobacter/signs-symptoms/index.html
• CDC, "Guillain-Barré Syndrome" (Campylobacter): https://www.cdc.gov/campylobacter/signs-symptoms/guillain-barre-syndrome.html