What to know
- Campylobacter infection is diagnosed by a laboratory test.
- Most people recover without using antibiotics.
- Laboratory tests can provide information that your healthcare provider can use to make treatment decisions.
Why get tested
Campylobacter infections can sometimes be serious.
This is especially true for people at risk for severe illness – including people 65 years and older, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems.
Types of tests
Campylobacter infection is diagnosed by a laboratory test.
This test could be a rapid diagnostic test or a culture test.
Rapid diagnostic test
Culture test
Detects the genetic material of the bacteria
Grows the bacteria
Allows doctors to quickly determine the cause of a patient's illness
Provides more detailed information about the bacteria causing infection
Content Source
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)
About This Page
Published: May 15, 2024
Updated: August 12, 2026
This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.
Reviewed: August 12, 2026
The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.