Campylobacteriosis is a disease that can be spread in both animals and people due to Campylobacter bacteria. It's one of the most common diseases, spread through the germs of the cats. It has been estimated that approximately 1.5 million people get sick annually due to Campylobacter in the United States. Therefore, pet owners need to understand the causes and treatments of the potential complications to protect themselves from these diseases. 

How it spreads :

The most common causes of Campylobacter are consuming insufficiently or raw cooked poultry, seafood, the meat of the affected animal, and drinking unfiltered water. Moreover, people can also get infected by coming into contact with the poop of the affected cats. According to experts, people who don't wash their hands appropriately after touching the poop, beds, and open wounds of the infected animals are more prone to catching this disease. It's pertinent to mention that cats commonly become infected by consuming contaminated meat and shed the bacteria in their poop. 

Who is at higher risk :  Minors younger than five years of age, old-age people, i.e., over 65 years of age, and people having weak immune systems are at high risk of Campylobacteriosis.

Signs in cats :

 Usually, it has been observed that no particular signs appear in cats as they may seem healthy in most cases. However, sometimes, affected cats may have bloody diarrhea. 

Symptoms in people : Diarrhea accompanied by nausea and vomiting, stomach issues, and fever are the most common symptoms in infected people. These symptoms may start appearing within 2-5 days after getting in contact with the infection and last about one week. Sometimes, the infection gets severe, and people may face arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and temporary paralysis. This disease could be life-threatening for people with a weak immune system who already suffer from a blood disorder, AIDS, or are under chemotherapy treatment.   

Diagnosis : Infection caused by Campylobacter could be diagnosed through a laboratory test, which detects bacteria in the stool, body tissue, or fluids. The test could be a culture that isolates the bacteria or a quick diagnosis.