Campylobacter and Drinking Water from Private Wells

LABFILTER.com
Laboratory Filtration Products

A Division of APSWATER

Call Us
800-460-9011
Toll Free

Home | Products | Tech Info | About US |

Campylobacter and Drinking Water from Private Wells

APS TechNotes See all articles

What is campylobacteriosis?

Campylobacteriosis (CAMP-eh-loe-back-tear-ee-O-sis) is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Campylobacter.  There are different species of Campylobacter, and Campylobacter jejuni is the species that causes most human illness.  It is also the most common bacterial cause of diarrheal illness in the United States.  Campylobacteriosis affects about 2 million people (1% of the population) every year.

How can I become infected with campylobacteriosis?

Most people get sick from handling or eating poultry meat that is raw or not cooked enough.  One way this could happen is through cross-contamination.  For example, if you cut poultry meat on a cutting board and then use the unwashed board or utensil to cut vegetables served raw, the bacteria from the raw meat on the board and utensils can easily spread to the vegetables.  Large outbreaks of campylobacteriosis are often related to drinking unpasteurized milk or contaminated water.

You can also get sick from coming in contact with the infected feces of a sick animal.  While the germ is not usually spread from person to person, an infected person having severe diarrhea can spread the germs to you through contact.

Where and how does Campylobacter get into drinking water?

Campylobacter is found in every part of the United States and throughout the world.  Millions of germs can be released in a bowel movement from an infected person or animal.  Campylobacter may be found in water sources such as private wells that have been contaminated with feces from infected people or animals.  Human or animal waste can enter the water in many different ways (i.e., sewage overflows, polluted storm water runoff, and agricultural runoff).  Campylobacteriosis occurs much more often in the summer than in the winter.

What are the symptoms of campylobacteriosis?

The most common symptoms of campylobacteriosis include:

Diarrhea
Cramps
Stomach pain
Fever

These symptoms begin in 2 to 5 days after exposure to the germ, and the illness usually lasts a week.  The diarrhea may be bloody and can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.  Some persons who are infected with Campylobacter will have no symptoms at all.  In persons with weak immune systems, Campylobacter sometimes spreads to the blood and causes a serious life-threatening infection.

What should I do if I think I have campylobacteriosis?

See your health care provider to discuss your concerns.

How is a campylobacteriosis infection diagnosed?

Laboratory tests can be used to determine if Campylobacter is making you sick.  However, these tests are sometimes not done unless the laboratory is instructed specifically to look for the germ.

What is the treatment for campylobacteriosis?

Almost everyone infected with Campylobacter will recover without any specific treatment.  Infected persons should drink a lot of fluids as long as the diarrhea lasts.  In more serious cases, antibiotics may shorten the length of symptoms if they are given early.  Your health care provider can tell you whether antibiotics are necessary.

How do I remove Campylobacter from my drinking water?

Heating water at a full boil for 1 minute (3 minutes if you live in a high altitude) will kill Campylobacter.  Boiled water should be stored in a clean container with a lid and refrigerated.  Currently, there is no filter certified to remove the germ from water, and the issue is being studied.

You may also disinfect your well; contact your local health department for recommended procedures.  Remember to have your well water tested periodically after disinfection to make sure the problem does not recur.

Revised Summer 2003

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/healthywater/factsheets/campylobacter.htm

Shopping Cart
Total items : 0
Cart Total : $0.00

Free Shipping Continental USA

Got questions?

I am here to help

Just Ask Henry.
Click Here!

Canadian Clients
Click Here
For
Wyvern Scientific

Lab Water Clients
Click Here
Save up to 50%

Residential & Commercial Water Clients
Click Here
Save up to 50%

Related Categories

Mixed Cellulose - Flat Stock Filter Paper

Glass Microfiber Filtration - Flat Stock Filter Paper

Syringe Filters

Extraction Thimbles

Capsule Filters

Contact Us

Live Hours
7:00a-4:00p p.s.t.
Monday-Friday

Toll Free
800-460-9011

local/International
818-786-0600

Fax
818-786-2347

E-MAIL US

Tags : campylobacter | drinking | water | private | wellswhat | campylobacteriosis | campylobacteriosis | campehloebackteareeosis | infectious | disease | caused | by | bacteria | campylobact
Campylobacter and Drinking Water from Private Wells

                                                                    Terms and conditions                Privacy Policy

All freight charges quoted on this web site are for continental USA only. Freight is calculated based on a starting point of Van Nuys, California. 91406 shipping from a business location to a business location. If we ship your order out of warehouses located in other locations or if you are in a rural or residential location, your freight charges may differ significantly. You will be notified if the freight charges on your order differ.

Images are representative of the product and not necessarily the actual image of the product.

*To the extent that APS WATER uses trademarks, servicemarks, tradenames, or other identifying information of other companies, APS WATER is making use of those Trademarks for identification, or is making use by permission. The owner of the trademarks has not consented to further use or copying of the trademarks and APS WATER can not license such trademarks. Millipore , Q-Pak , Super-Q , Super-C , Milli-Q , ROGARD , Milli-RO , ROPAK , AFSPAK , Polygard, Gradient, Synthesis, AFS, SDS, Acadenic, Biocel, Element, progard, ggard, quantum, Millipak and any tradenames prefixed by the words Millipore or Millipore's are trademarks of Millipore Corporation. Barnstead, Nanopure , E-pure , B-pure , Nanopure Diamond,Infinity , Easypure , ROPURE , Bantam and Mega-pure are trademarks of Barnstead/Thermolyne. Labconco and Waterpro are trademarks of Labconco inc. Continental, IWT, US Filter, Modulab and Culligan and other water related trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners.

This is not necessarily a full list of the trademark notifications we must make, If you see one we inadvertently left off,

please contact 800-460-9011 to have it added.

� 2001-2008 APS Water Services Inc. All Rights Reserved.
APS ULTRA brand water purification products are designed to be replacement filters and membranes for Millipore , Barnstead , and US Filter water purification systems.

934-AH� is a registered trademark of Whatman Inc. and used under license