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Original poster

I think I have campylobacter

13 replies

NickMyLipple · 22/02/2015 14:40

And I think my boyfriend has it too.

We got back from Egypt on Wednesday. He had a dodgy tummy on Wednesday morning, and mine started Wednesday evening. No vomiting but horrible headaches and nausea and fever for both of us.

Stools are very loose, bloody and mucusy and very frequent, around 15 times per day. Only a small amount comes out each time but the cramps and gas are so bad, we're sitting on the loo for long periods of time.

Otherwise feeling well, eating and drinking normally. No loss of appetite.

Do we need to go to the doctors? I work in a school and I'm not convinced I should be going to work tomorrow but I also don't think a self diagnosis of campylobacter is sufficient!!

OP posts:
uggmum · 22/02/2015 14:48

I would definitely seek medical advice. If it is campylobacter you will need antibiotics and some rehydration sachets.
You need to send off a sample. Make sure you take one with you. You can buy sample pots from the chemist.
My Mum had it and it was grim. You have my sympathy

GoatsDoRoam · 22/02/2015 14:50

Yes, you need to see a doctor, and no you should not go to work.

When I was diagnosed with it, I was asked to stay away from children, swimming pools, and the elderly, in a letter from my Council.

Take a stool sample to your GP and have it sent to a lab ASAP.

Original poster
NickMyLipple · 22/02/2015 14:54

This is terrible, because I am a nurse, so by virtue I make the worst patient! I don't feel ill enough for the GP and as I said, we're eating and drinking fine and have no dehydration symptoms. Having a sample sent off isn't going to actually help, other than give a firm diagnosis, and they would give broad spectrum antibiotics anyway, but it's usually self limiting and often they won't bother.

Hmm... Maybe I'll try the walk in centre (despite my above rant!!)

OP posts:
Le1890 · 22/02/2015 17:07

I had campylobacter about 12 years ago after returning from a holiday in Greece. Had exactly everything you have written.

I remember my stomach bloated up so much I couldn't even zip my clothes. I also remember having to stop the car frequently because of the cramps and the final straw for me was when I was only passing bright red blood into the toilet! I was hospitalised for a week. I wasn't given anything for it as was told antibiotics would only feed it. Was told to get actimel and plenty fluids once discharged. Would maybe go and see gp about it just for reassurance.x

ChaiseLounger · 22/02/2015 17:18

Dh had it a few years ago and was hospitalised for a couple of days because it was so bad.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 22/02/2015 18:04

This has been caught abroad so the GP would want to see you. Seek medical advice asap and stay off work until at least 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting. Avoid contact with other people as far as possible during this time.

Original poster
NickMyLipple · 22/02/2015 18:06

Saw a nurse at OOH. She was not very helpful really. Gave me a stool pot and said to take it to the GP tomorrow.

Were you hospitalized because of dehydration? I'm not dehydrated I don't think, should be okay on that front!

OP posts:
gymboywalton · 22/02/2015 18:08

i had it a few years ago and i thought i was going to die-i felt incredibly, terribly, horribly ill.

RockinD · 22/02/2015 20:54

I had this years ago. Treatment was for the symptoms only. Six months later I weighed six stone. Awful. Please get proper medical advice and don't go to work until you are clear of infection.

wtffgs · 22/02/2015 21:10

Yuk! Poor you Sad

It is a notifiable disease so you will need to bear that in mind. My non-regular GP was a total bitch about it and didn't believe I had it until the lab results came through. The pain was so bad, I passed out and I am not prone to fainting.

superram · 22/02/2015 21:13

I had it and environmental health knocked on the door. It is notifiable and I believe you need 3 stools samples to be clear before returning to job dealing with the public.

mollyonthemove · 22/02/2015 21:21

My dh had this about 5 years ago. Being a 'hard' bloke who refuses to accept he is ill, he just stayed in bed (apart from 5minute interval trips to the loo) for two weeks and refused to see a doctor until the very last bit when he finally staggered there. The tests came back as campylobactor and the doctor was not impressed with dh's 'bravery' - we had to try to trace back what he had eaten and in fact, he really should have been in hospital. I was really cross with himConfused

Le1890 · 23/02/2015 00:29

Hi no wasn't dehydration. I think it was the sheer pain I was in and only passing bright red blood by this point. Initially they were not sure what I had and I guess were very concerned as I had just returned from holiday and potentially had an infectious disease. I was put in a room of my own and not allowed out of it. The results came back as campylobacter as few days later. I just kept thinking it was a bug and it would pass until I couldn't take the pain anymore and called out of hours doctor and was told to go straight to a&e.x

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