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Campylobacter Enteritis

Information for people who have been diagnosed as having Campylobacter Enteritis

 

What is causing my illness?

Your illness has been caused by bacteria or germs called campylobacter and is a form of food poisoning. These bacteria were identified by tests in the faecal specimen submitted to your GP - after the bacteria gradually passes through your intestines and are eventually excreted in the faeces.

Why is the Environmental Health Department involved?

Any type of food poisoning is a notifiable disease. Your GP has a duty to report cases of notifiable disease to the Environmental Health Department of the local Council for investigation.

 

There are three reasons for investigation by the Environmental Health Department:

  1. To prevent further spread of the disease in the community.
  2. To take appropriate precautions should people working in the food trade be involved.
  3. To try and establish where a patient picked up the disease.

 

Where did I pick up the bacteria?

Some animals harbour this germ in their intestines for example, poultry, cattle and domestic pets that are unwell.

 

People can pick up the bacteria by eating raw or undercooked meat or unpasteurised milk. People have also been known to become infected by handling animals including pets with diarrhoea.

 

By looking back over what and where you ate over the last week, it may be possible to pinpoint a possible source.

What are the symptoms of this illness?

Symptoms normally start between two and five days after picking up the bacteria but it can be longer - up to eleven days.

 

Symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhoea which may last for one to three days and a fever.

 

Can I pass it on to other people?

All forms of diarrhoea and vomiting should be regarded as infectious, but usually it is only passed on to other people if personal hygiene is poor.

 

It is therefore advisable to stay away from school, work etc, until all the symptoms have cleared up.

 

How do I prevent spreading the bacteria to my family and friends?

The key to this is good personal hygiene.

  1. Wash your hands frequently throughout the day particularly:-
    • after using the toilet
    • before you prepare and serve food
  2. Thorough hand washing with soap and hot water and drying is the most important factor in preventing spread of infection.
  3. Do not share towels.
  4. Ensure that the toilet is flushed after each use.
  5. The toilet seat, flush handle, wash hand basin and taps should be cleaned daily or more frequently depending on how often they are used. After use, the toilet seat should be wiped with a diluted disinfectant.
  6. Any soiled or dirty clothing or bed linen should be washed in a domestic washing machine on a hot wash cycle.

 

Important Information

  1. If your symptoms persist, you should go back to your GP.
  2. Even if you stop exhibiting any symptoms, there is still a chance that you could still be excreting the bacteria as your body sometimes takes a while to get rid of them all. This therefore shows the importance of good personal hygiene at all times.
Further Information

Further information can be found:

Should you require any further information or advice on this matter, please contact:

 

Fareham Borough Council
Environmental Health Department
Health & Regulatory Services
Civic Offices, Civic Way
Fareham
Hampshire
PO16 7AZ

 

Telephone: 01329 236100
E-mail: regulatory@fareham.gov.uk.