Know your bugs - Campylobacter

I recently came across a story about a stomach bug that I hadn't heard of up until then - it's called "campylobacter" and it can get pretty horrendous for babies and children. Eating food contaminated with the campylobacter bacteria causes a gastrointestinal infection which typically leads to diarrhoea, vomitting and cramps (amongst other symptoms).

The bacteria is very common in NZ (in fact NZ has the highest rate of campylobacter food poisoning in the developed world) because of very high contamination rates found in chicken food stocks. Infants and young children are most at risk from a campylobacter infection. Symptoms typically show up 1-10 days after ingesting contaminated food and the illness lasts 2-5 days (sometimes up to 10 days). Diagnosis of the illness is made by testing a specimen of faeces (bowel motion).

Typical signs and symptoms of campylobacter

• May begin with flue like symptons


• Diarrhoea (may contain mucus and blood - a baby or child with bloody bowel motions should be seen by a doctor immediately)


• Vomiting


• Abdominal pain and cramps


• Fever


• Tiredness, muscle pain and headaches

Dhiarrhoea might lead to dehydration symptons as well (dry mouth and tongue, sunken eyes, low urine output i.e. a dry nappy for many hours), irritability, thirst, tiredness, etc).

Treatments
Generally there is little treatment apart from rest and keeping up fluid intake however your GP may prescribe antibiotics. NB an infection with campylobacter is contagious and children must be kept at home until they have been clear of symptoms for at least two days.

For severe forms of dhiarrhoea it is advisable to use a strong barrier cream (containing zinc oxide) on top of a standard nappy rash cream to avoid additional skin irritation.

What can you do to avoid an infection?
Well basically watch what your baby / child eats (and from where / what surface) and follow sound practies for hygiene and food preparation or avoid certain foods altogether. Watch out for chicken meat in particular and any meat that is undercooked (e.g. cooking on BBQs or in microwaves). Use different chopping boards and knives when dealing with raw and cooked chicken. Wash all food cooking surfaces and utensils in hot soapy water after handling chicken and other meat. Wash your hands carefully after handling raw chicken. Don't use reheated food or leftovers (containing any kind of meat) for babies and children. Also avoid drinking from outdoor streams and rivers and keep children away from animals and pets in the house that show signs of dhiarrhoea.

After doing research on campylobacter I thought as a parent it really helps to know your bugs a bit ... somehow reminded me of the "know your foe" scene in Staarship Troopers (don't ask ... I never saw the film ... honest).

-Stef

(health information in this article is based on KiwiFamilies.co.nz)