Campylobacter Infections - Symptoms

Symptoms usually develop 2 to 5 days after exposure and continue for about 1 week.  Symptoms of Campylobacter colitis include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cramps, which may be severe. The diarrhea may be bloody and can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever ranging from 100 to 104° F (38 to 40° C).

In some people with colitis, the bloodstream is temporarily infected (called bacteremia). This infection usually causes no symptoms or complications. However, the bloodstream is repeatedly or continuously infected in a few people. This type of bacteremia usually develops in people with a disorder that weakens the immune system, such as AIDS, diabetes, or cancer. This infection causes a long-lasting or recurring fever. Other symptoms develop as the bloodstream carries the infection to other organs, such as the following:

• The space within the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord (causing meningitis)
• Bones (causing osteomyelitis)
• Joints (causing infectious arthritis)
• Rarely, heart valves (causing endocarditis)

Guillain-Barré syndrome (see Peripheral Nerve Disorders: Guillain-Barré Syndrome) develops in about 1 of 1000 of people with Campylobacter colitis, which causes weakness or paralysis. Most people recover, but muscles may be greatly weakened. People may have difficulty breathing and need to use a mechanical ventilator. Weakness does not always completely resolve. Campylobacter colitis is thought to trigger about 20 to 40% of all cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Weeks to months after the diarrhea resolves, reactive arthritis may develop.  Usually, the disorder causes inflammation and pain in the knees, hips, and Achilles tendon.