Shigellosis
Shigellosis is an intestinal infection caused by Shigella bacteria. There are several different kinds of Shigella bacteria: Shigella sonnei , also known as "Group D" Shigella , accounts for over two-thirds of the shigellosis in the United States. A second type, Shigella flexneri , or "group B" Shigella , accounts for almost all of the rest. The bacteria produce toxins that can attack the lining of the large intestine, causing swelling, ulcers on the intestinal wall, and bloody diarrhea. Shigella species cause damage by 2 mechanisms, invasion of the colonic epithelium, which is dependent on a plasmid-mediated virulence factor, and production of enterotoxin, which is not essential for colitis but enhances virulence, Symptoms can range from just watery diarrhea to bloody diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. Shigella can be found in water polluted with infected sewage. Bacteria commonly enter the body through a contaminated drinking supply. Shigella bacteria also can be found on food that has been rinsed with unclean water, grown in fields contaminated with sewage, or touched by flies that have touched feces. Shigella bacteria can reach the mouth on dirty fingers that have touched items soiled with feces, including dirty diapers, toilets and bathroom fixtures.
Outbreaks of shigellosis are most common in areas where sanitation is poor, and in places where people live under confined or crowded conditions. Worldwide, an estimated 140 million people develop shigellosis each year. Shigellosis is more common among children ages 1 to 4. Children of this age are especially at risk because they are starting to use the toilet and often forget to wash their hands. Infants are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill from a Shigella infection. Shigella bacteria can spread easily within families, schools, child-care centers, nursing homes, and other institutions.
Causes of Shigellosis
Common causes of Shigellosis
- Foodborne illness.
- Shigella bacterium.
- Shigella sonnei.
- Shigella boydii.
- Loss of blood.
- Serum proteins.
Symptoms of Shigellosis
Common symptoms of Shigellosis
- Abdominal discomfort.
- Dysentery.
- Cramps.
- Diarrhea.
- Fever.
- Vomiting.
- Tenesmus.
- Traces of blood or mucous in the stool.
- Painful bowel movements.
- Kidney damage
- Persistent diarrhoea
- weight loss.
- Malnutrition.
Treatment of Shigellosis
Common Treatment of Shigellosis
- Shigellosis can usually be treated with antibiotics. The antibiotics commonly used for treatment are ampicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (also known as Bactrim or Septra), nalidixic acid, or ciprofloxacin.
- Appropriate treatment kills the Shigella bacteria that might be present in the patient's stools, and shortens the illness.
- When traveling to developing countries, drink only water that has beeb treated or boiled eat only foods that have been cooked thoroughly. Never eat unpeeled fruits, and always peel fruits yourself immediately before eating them.
- Practice good hygiene, especially frequent handwashing.
- Wash your hands immediately after changing a child's diaper, especially if the child has diarrhea.
- Dispose of soiled diapers in closed-lid garbage cans
- Replacement of fluid losses.
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