People can get the infection by eating contaminated food, or drinking contaminated water or unpasteurized milk. The bacteria are often found in poorly cooked meat or poultry. The bacteria can also be spread from an infected person to others when bacteria leave the body in the stool and enter in another person when hands, food, or objects, contaminated with stool, are put in the mouth. Infected persons or animals are contagious as long as the bacteria are in the stool - may be several days or several weeks. The disease can be diagnosed from a stool sample.
Most people recover without treatment.
If the infection is severe or prolonged, erythromycin may be prescribed. Prevention Wash hands well with soap and warm water after using the bathroom or changing diapers. Make sure children also wash their hands well after going to the bathroom. Wash hands well before and after preparing food, especially after handling raw meat or poultry. Do not drink unpasteurized milk or eat cheese made from unpasteurized milk.