What is the primary treatment for Campylobacter gastroenteritis?

The primary treatment for Campylobacter gastroenteritis focuses on rehydration therapy. This approach is vital because the most significant complication of gastroenteritis is dehydration, which occurs due to severe diarrhea and potential vomiting. Maintaining hydration helps the body recover from the infection by replacing lost fluids and electrolytes.

In most cases of Campylobacter gastroenteritis, the condition is self-limiting, meaning it often resolves on its own without the need for antibiotics. While antibiotics may be indicated in severe cases or for specific high-risk patients, they are not routinely used for uncomplicated cases since they do not significantly alter the course of the illness and can lead to resistance.

Surgery is not indicated for this type of gastroenteritis because it is primarily a viral or bacterial infection that does not involve anatomical issues requiring surgical correction. Similarly, while intravenous fluids could be considered in severe cases of dehydration, rehydration therapy, which includes oral rehydration solutions, is the more common and effective first-line treatment in most patients who are not severely dehydrated. This highlights the importance of rehydration therapy as the foundational management strategy for Campylobacter gastroenteritis.