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Original poster

Campylobacter

34 replies

mummynumnum · 04/07/2008 08:58

Dd (2)was in hosp last Weds and Thurs with what we were told was viral gast. Yesterday we were informed that it was actually campylobacter. Can people tell me more about this. Does it make people ill instantly, does it build up etc.. Two docs called us. One said dd needs to not go to nursery and be re-tested to check it has gone, then another one rang and said provided 48hours has passed with no probs she is fine to go. Which one is right?

Dd still says stomach hurts on occasions-does this mean she still has it?

We have a pet bird-could he be the problem?

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Original poster
mummynumnum · 04/07/2008 09:24

And I have dd christening on Sunday-Should I cancel?

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annoyingdevil · 04/07/2008 09:36

It's food poisoning, and quite common. Birds can spread it, I believe. Anyway, I would go ahead with the christening, as long as the person preparing the food is unaffected (and assuming your DD is better).

BlaDeBla · 04/07/2008 10:51

Campylobacter is a notifiable bug. Your poor dd. I had it a few years ago and it was horrible. Is your dd on antibiotics? If she is, they will still be working and Sunday is a few days away.

It took a few days for me to get really ill, I think, but if your dd has already been diagnosed and is being treated she should start feeling better soon.

ChirpyGirl · 04/07/2008 11:22

My DD had this a few weeks ago and we were told that after 48 hours with normal nappies she would be ok. We also have pet birds but were told that the odds of it being from them are very slim unless they were new and unquarantined IYSWIM. (unless your birds are chickens, which is where DD got her from!)
A couple fo weeks later she is still not quite 100%, she is back on daily naps and doesn't seem quite 'right' but have been told that is normal as she was so ill.

ChirpyGirl · 04/07/2008 11:23

Sorry, forgot we were also told it can take 2-10 days for it to 'surface' as well, so it could be really hard to pinpoint.

Original poster
mummynumnum · 04/07/2008 11:30

Bird is a cockatoo. Had him 12 yrs and dd 2 with no probs. because at hosp they thought it was viral they did not give antibiotics but seems to have sorted itself out, although still says tummy hurts.

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MissusH · 04/07/2008 11:35

It is one of the most common forms of food poisoning. Usually get it from unwashed salad/veg etc, untreated water, dodgy meat (the usual suspects). As Chirpy says, incubation is between 2 & 10 days.

How badly you are affected depends on your general health/susceptibilty (sp?) to these types of things. Sometimes you get both vomiting & diarreah (sp again??) or just the bottom end of things. Also dreadful stomach cramps (nice)

My mum caught it on holiday a couple of weeks ago (which is why I'm now so familar with it). It was about 10 days before she could eat again with it passing straight through (yuk - tmi...) and she is still wiped out.

On her return from Spain the GP sent a sample away to be tested and as it came back as campylobacter she received a letter from the local council/environmental health. She is now filling out a hefty questionnaire detailing what she ate on which day (ie day before she was ill, 2 days before etc) and also if she went in the sea on holiday/swimming pool etc as the council need to try to narrow down where it came from...

Not a nice thing to have - hope your dd is better soon, mummynumnum.

Original poster
mummynumnum · 04/07/2008 11:44

Seems like a questionnaire will be coming my way then!

My dd seems to be doing much better-fingers crossed!

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SaintGeorge · 04/07/2008 11:51

Mishandling of raw poultry is the highest cause of infection in the UK.

Original poster
mummynumnum · 04/07/2008 13:33

GP just rang and said she does need to have a test to show it has gone before going back to nursery and 2nd GP who phoned us was wrong!

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ChirpyGirl · 04/07/2008 13:51

It might be different for you then as I am a SAHM and therefore not much risk of infecting loads of kids. They did ask repeatedly if she ever went to a creche or something so possibly if she had I might have had a questionnaire too...

sleepycat · 04/07/2008 13:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

McDreamy · 04/07/2008 14:03

Oh your poor daughter that's really rough for her, hope she feels better soon.

I'm really surprised she has to be retested to see if it's gone. We only ever insisted on that with salmonella and that was with healthcare workers.

As long as she has not got diarrhoea she is unlikely to be infectious. A campylobacter outbreak is very uncommon. I really hope she gets better

Original poster
mummynumnum · 04/07/2008 16:06

She has just had two very runny nappies this aft and really worried it has taken turn for worse again or just being paranoid. perhaps should just go to docs and ask for antibiotics.

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Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 04/07/2008 16:09

My dd and ds2 had campylobacter a couple of years ago (in their teens) dd took well over a week before her bowels were anything like normal.

They didn't have anti-biotics but were both hospitalised.

Original poster
mummynumnum · 04/07/2008 16:13

I have wound myself into such a state about it. Feel like terrible mum who has not cleaned house properly and poisoned her.

Just wondering if should cancel her christening on Sunday.

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Blu · 04/07/2008 16:22

Poor you an dd - I don't know what i would do re Christning in your position. Is it a big party etc? presumbly the Christening itself will be quick and manageable if she isn't feeling well - but also easily re-arranged to another Sunday...whereas a big 'do', not so simple on either count

Isn't campylobacter one of the bugs being protected against in the 'chicken splasher' campaign? i.e don't was your raw chicken because the most likely effect will be to splash bacteria everywhere, get it on your hands, taps, draining board, sink etc...whilst cooking propery will kill it anyway.

Blu · 04/07/2008 16:23

ooops - not saying YOU have caused this with dodgy chicken-preparation...don't beat yourself up, it could have been picked up anywhere.

Original poster
mummynumnum · 04/07/2008 16:30

40 people are coming. When upset told a few people at work so everybody prob knows now! Probably being called a scummy mum

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Original poster
mummynumnum · 04/07/2008 16:38

Just phoned docs about antibiotics. Just waiting for call back.

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SaintGeorge · 04/07/2008 16:42

Most people pick up some form of food poisoning at some time in their life. You are not a scummy mum.

Don't ask your GP for antibiotics unless your dd doesn't show signs of improvement after a couple of days. Campylobacter is becoming more resistant to antibiotics because of over prescription for minor cases.

Original poster
mummynumnum · 04/07/2008 18:24

thanks

Dh says I am becoming completely irrational about it.

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Original poster
mummynumnum · 05/07/2008 07:52

Should I tell my friends with children that dd had this. I always think honesty is best policy.

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Original poster
mummynumnum · 05/07/2008 12:10

Any thoughts~?

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Original poster
mummynumnum · 06/07/2008 07:33

Oh shit. I have woken up with temp of 40, sore throst, stomach pains and runny dark poo. have I got campylobacter from dd. feel I could struggle through christening but feel should cancel as dont want to risk infecting people.

what do you think?

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