How to treat campylobacter infection?
Patient: campylobacter relapse. I am now getting the syptoms of campylobacter for the 4th time. Every 3 weeks its starts I am bad for 10 days, have a good week then am back to square one. The first 2 times I had postive stool tests, the 3rd time given erythrymyacin which I was unable to tolerate after 2 days. Now it seems it is back again.I also have CFSany advice, is this normal to keep relapsing?regards Maxine Doctor: Hello Maxine,I read your message carefully and I understand your medical problem.You are going through campylobacter infection for the fourth time now.  You mention positive stool test and intolerance to erythromycin. Azithromycin is the first choice in Campylobacter infection. Erythromycin is a drug of choice because its resistance remains low. You are sensitive to Erythromycin so you can not take it. Other alternatives are ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and clindamycin in adults, but in a combination therapy. Actually, there is a schedule for the treatment of campylobacter involving antibiotics, anti-H2 antagonists (ranitidine, cimetidine, etc)  and proton-pump inhibitors (omeprazole, pantoprazole, etc). You are experiencing antibiotic resistance. Campylobacter is a bacteria which is able to develop mechanisms to protect itself from drugs.Combination therapy of antibiotics can be of help in this case based on culture and sensitivity test of the stool. Do not forget about changes in your diet habits and keep a good personal hygiene as it is a cause to foodborne illness. Discuss this further with your doctor. Wish fast recovery. Dr.Albana