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Dirty chicken scandal: ‘Even brushing my teeth resulted in severe retching’ Dirty chicken scandal: ‘Even brushing my teeth resulted in severe retching’
(about 11 hours later)
Almost a year ago, I nearly became one of the 100 people reported dying annually from campylobacter infection, even though I am a doctor. Almost precisely one year ago, I nearly became one of the 100 people reported dying annually from campylobacter infection, even though I am a doctor.
After a morning out on a cold wet December day, I returned home very chilled, and with rigors – uncontrollable shivering and shaking. I assumed I had a form of flu and went to bed. After a morning out on a cold, wet December day, I returned home very chilled, and with rigors – uncontrollable shivering and shaking. I assumed I had a form of flu and went to bed.
During the night I developed diarrhoea, followed by vomiting. I lost all appetite and found it difficult to take anything orally, solid or liquid. These symptoms worsened and at this point my wife, very worried, went to the GP for advice. She requested an antibiotic that was prescribed. Soon after I saw a GP and provided a stool specimen. Two days later, we were told that campylobacter was the cause. During the night I developed diarrhoea, followed by vomiting. I lost all appetite and found it difficult to take anything orally, solid or liquid. These symptoms worsened and at this point my wife, very worried, went to the GP for advice. She requested an antibiotic, and that was prescribed. Soon after, I saw a GP and provided a stool specimen. Two days later, we were told that campylobacter was the cause.
Despite the antibiotic, the symptoms persisted. At this time my wife (herself a public health physician) was spending all her time supporting me and trying to find any food or liquid I could tolerate. She was insistent that I needed more intensive support but I was becoming less lucid and was resistant to this. Unknown to her, I even stopped taking the antibiotic thinking that it was causing me to feel sick. This was a serious mistake. Despite the antibiotic, the symptoms persisted. At this time my wife (herself a public health physician) was spending all her time supporting me and trying to find any food or liquid I could tolerate. She was insistent that I needed more intensive support, but I was becoming less lucid and was resistant to this. Unknown to her, I even stopped taking the antibiotic, thinking that it was causing me to feel sick. This was a serious mistake.
Sickness and diarrhoea continued and I was becoming increasingly weak. Even brushing my teeth resulted in severe retching which could last for 20 minutes. Sickness and diarrhoea continued, and I was becoming increasingly weak. Even brushing my teeth resulted in retching which could last 20 minutes.
A further appropriate antibiotic was prescribed. Further symptoms developed and the episode continued for two weeks. Eventually we visited our GP who referred me immediately to hospital. A further appropriate antibiotic was prescribed.
The actions of the first medical registrar I encountered probably saved my life. Infusion of intravenous fluid was started and within 12 hours I felt a significant improvement. The diagnosis in addition to campylobacter was acute kidney injury; luckily this was not irreversible. I received intravenous fluid and other support for four days and I was discharged just before Christmas. Further symptoms developed and the episode continued for two weeks. Eventually we visited our GP, who referred me immediately to hospital.
The actions of the first medical registrar I encountered probably saved my life. Infusion of intravenous fluid was started and within 12 hours I felt a significant improvement. The diagnosis, in addition to campylobacter, was acute kidney injury – luckily not irreversible. I received intravenous fluid and other support for four days, and was discharged just before Christmas.
During the illness I lost 12kg in weight, most of it muscle. I recovered slowly over six months. We have not been able to identify the source precisely, though I possibly had handled some raw chicken beforehand.During the illness I lost 12kg in weight, most of it muscle. I recovered slowly over six months. We have not been able to identify the source precisely, though I possibly had handled some raw chicken beforehand.
I was too ill at the time to appreciate how dangerous my situation was; I was not rational. My wife and daughters (one a consultant oncologist) were extremely concerned. I am happy to say that I am back to virtually full fitness. I was too ill at the time to appreciate how dangerous my situation was; I was not rational. My wife and daughters (one a consultant oncologist) were extremely concerned. I am happy to say I am now back to virtually full fitness.
I have wanted to document this story for two reasons. Firstly, I would like chicken handlers, processors and supermarkets to make it a priority to clean up their act.I have wanted to document this story for two reasons. Firstly, I would like chicken handlers, processors and supermarkets to make it a priority to clean up their act.
The second reason is to record my great disappointment that high-level executives of supermarkets have lobbied against proper information being provided to the public on the apparent grounds of preventing a food scare. There needs to be a food scare.The second reason is to record my great disappointment that high-level executives of supermarkets have lobbied against proper information being provided to the public on the apparent grounds of preventing a food scare. There needs to be a food scare.
A preventable disease which kills 100 people every year needs to be dealt with in an open and constructive way. Attempting to protect the interests of large supermarkets and others, at the expense of the health of the public, is indefensible.A preventable disease which kills 100 people every year needs to be dealt with in an open and constructive way. Attempting to protect the interests of large supermarkets and others, at the expense of the health of the public, is indefensible.
• Dr Parker is a blood cancer consultant from Sussex. Dr Alistair Parker is a blood cancer consultant from Sussex