Campylobacteriosis is a common bacterial infection of the digestive tract, typically caused by the species Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli. It is one of the most frequent bacterial causes of gastroenteritis worldwide. The bacteria primarily transmit to humans through contaminated food or water, with undercooked poultry being the most common source.
Duration of Acute Symptoms
The illness begins with an incubation period, the time between ingesting the bacteria and the onset of symptoms. This period typically ranges from two to five days, but can extend up to ten days. Symptoms often include diarrhea (which may be bloody), abdominal cramps, fever, and general malaise.
The acute phase, when symptoms are most disruptive, usually lasts a short time. Most individuals experience symptoms for about five to seven days, generally resolving spontaneously within one week. The peak of illness, marked by the most severe diarrhea and cramping, often occurs within the first 24 to 48 hours.
Symptoms can be more severe or prolonged in certain populations, such as young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. While most cases are self-limiting, abdominal pain or loose stools may persist for one to two weeks. The body’s immune system generally clears the infection within this timeframe, even without specific intervention.
Bacterial Shedding and Contagiousness
A person’s contagiousness often extends beyond the resolution of acute symptoms because the bacteria can still be shed in the stool. This process, known as fecal shedding, means an infected person remains a source of potential transmission even after they feel better. The duration of shedding varies significantly among individuals.
In people who do not receive antibiotic treatment, the bacteria are typically shed in the feces for two to three weeks. The shedding period can occasionally last up to seven weeks, especially in children. This extended excretion necessitates careful hygiene to prevent person-to-person spread, which is uncommon but possible.
Timeline for Full Recovery and Potential Complications
For most people, full recovery occurs within a week to ten days following the onset of symptoms. However, the overall timeline can be significantly extended by rare, post-infectious complications that arise after the acute illness has passed. These immune-mediated complications represent the longest potential duration of impact from the initial infection.
Reactive Arthritis
Reactive Arthritis involves painful inflammation of the joints. This condition is caused by an immune response mistakenly targeting the body’s own tissues after the infection. Reactive Arthritis typically appears weeks after the initial gastrointestinal symptoms have subsided and can persist for several months.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare, more severe neurological disorder. GBS occurs when the immune system attacks the peripheral nerves, potentially leading to muscle weakness and paralysis. This syndrome usually manifests one to three weeks following the Campylobacter infection.
Only a small fraction of people with campylobacteriosis develop GBS, but the recovery timeline can be extensive. Recovery may require months or even years of rehabilitation, representing the most drawn-out consequence of the initial infection. The infection is estimated to be responsible for 5% to 41% of all GBS cases.
Symptom Management and Treatment
The primary focus of clinical management is supportive care, which directly influences the duration of the illness. Maintaining hydration and replacing lost electrolytes is the mainstay of therapy, preventing dehydration that could prolong the illness or necessitate hospitalization. Avoiding anti-motility agents like loperamide is recommended, as these can delay bacterial clearance and prolong symptoms.
Antibiotics are generally not prescribed for mild, uncomplicated cases because the illness is self-limiting. They may be used in severe or prolonged infections, or for high-risk patients such as those who are immunocompromised. Early administration of an appropriate antibiotic, such as azithromycin, can reduce the duration of intestinal symptoms by over a day. Antibiotic treatment also shortens the period of bacterial shedding in the stool from weeks to just a few days, reducing the time a person remains contagious.