Campylobacter food poisoning tests

Campylobacter Food Poisoning

The commonest source of Campylobacter infection is under-cooked or poorly handled or prepared poultry. Campylobacter diarrhoea is more common in summer and more common in men. It also affects children more severely than adults.

Campylobacter is a normal bacteria in the guts of animals, similar to Salmonella. In developing countries it can also be acquired in untreated water, contaminated by sewerage. 

Symptoms usually start with 48 hours and may include:

• abdominal cramps
• bloating
• diarrhoea (may be bloody)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Feverish or raised temperature

The infection severity ranges from minor to very severe, with fever and systemic blood infection in immune compromised or weakened individuals.

Medical assistance should be sort if the diarrhoea lasts more than 48 hours, or results in dehydration or high temperature.

How to test for Campylobacter

Diagnosis has traditionally depended on a stool sample being collected and sent to a laboratory for examination, but a new instant, near patient test is now available enabling immediate diagnosis, on-site.

ALLTEST Campylobacter test kits allow EMT or out-patient testing, with positive or negative results in 10 minutes.

Positive results can be treated, without further delay using antibiotics