Shigella infections
About
Shigella are bacteria that infect the digestive tract and cause a wide range of symptoms, from diarrhea, cramps,
Vomiting and nausea, to more serious complications and diseases. Infections, called shigellosis, sometimes go away on
their own, in other antibiotics can shorten the course of disease.
Shigellosis, which is most common during the summer months, usually affects children infected 2 to 4 years old and rarely
Infants younger than 6 months old.
These infections are highly contagious and can be prevented with good hand washing practices.
Signs and symptoms
Shigella bacteria produce toxins that can attack the lining of the large intestine, causing swelling, ulcers on the
Intestinal wall, and bloody diarrhea.
The severity of the diarrhea sets shigellosis apart from regular diarrhea. In children with shigellosis, the first bowel
Movement is often large and watery. Later bowel movements may be smaller, but the diarrhea may have blood and mucus in
it.
Other symptoms of shigellosis include:
Abdominal cramps
high fever
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
painful bowel movements
In very severe cases of shigellosis, a person may have convulsions (seizures), a stiff neck, headache, extreme
Fatigue and confusion. Shigellosis can also lead to dehydration and in rare cases, other complications, such as
Arthritis, skin rashes, and kidney failure.
Some children with severe cases of shigellosis have to be hospitalized.
Contagiousness
Shigellosis is highly contagious. Someone can become infected by contact with something contaminated
Stool of an infected person. This includes toys, surfaces in restrooms and even food from someone who is willing
infected. For example, put children to touch a contaminated surface like a toilet or toy and then her fingers in the
Mouths can become infected. Shigella can even have supported and spread by flies that touches contaminated stool.
Because it does not take many Shigella bacteria to cause an infection, the disease spreads easily in families and
Day care centers. The bacteria can spread by poor hygiene in the water supply in areas. Shigella can be passed
in the person of stool for about 4 weeks, even after the obvious symptoms of the disease have resolved (although antibiotic
Treatment, the excretion of Shigella bacteria in the stool).
Prevention
The best way to prevent the spread, Shigella is by frequent and thorough hand washing with soap, especially after they
using the toilet and before they eat. This is particularly important in child care facilities.
When a child has diarrhea care, wash your hands before touching other people and before handling food.
(Anyone with diarrhea should be no food for others.) Be sure to frequently clean and disinfect all toilets used by
someone with shigellosis.
Diapers of a child with shigellosis should be disposed of in a sealed trash can, and the diaper area should be wiped
with the disinfectant after use. Young children (especially those who are still in diapers) with shigellosis or with diarrhea after a
Cause should be kept from other children.
The proper handling, storage and preparation of food can also help prevent Shigella infections. Cold foods should be kept
cold and hot foods should be kept hot to prevent bacterial growth.
Diagnosis and Treatment
In order to confirm the diagnosis of shigellosis, your doctor may prescribe a stool sample to be tested for Shigella bacteria. Blood
Tests and other tests may be other possible causes of the symptoms, especially if your child has a large
Amount of blood in the stool.
Some cases of shigellosis not require treatment, but antibiotics are often added to reduce the disease and to prevent
the spread of bacteria to other.
If the doctor prescribes antibiotics, give, as prescribed. Avoid putting your child nonprescription medicines for
Vomiting or diarrhea, if the doctor recommends them, as they may prolong the illness. Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol)
given to reduce fever and your child will be more comfortable.
To prevent dehydration, follow your doctor's advice about what your child is eating and drinking. Your doctor can
recommend a special drink called an oral rehydration solution, or ORS (such as Pedialyte) to replace body fluids
quickly, especially if the diarrhea has lasted 2 or 3 days or more.
Children who have moderately or severely dehydrated or those with other serious illnesses may be
Hospital to be monitored and receive treatment such as intravenous (IV) infusion therapy or antibiotics.
When to call the doctor
Call the doctor if your child has symptoms of Shigella infection, including diarrhea with blood or mucus, accompanied by
Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, or high fever.
Children with diarrhea can dehydrate quickly, which can lead to serious complications. Signs of dehydration include:
Greed
Excitability
Restlessness
Lethargy
dry mouth, tongue and lips
sunken eyes
a dry diaper for several hours in infants or fewer trips to the bathroom to urinate in older children
If you see any of these signs, call the doctor immediately.