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Shigellosis
Medical Questions » Shigellosis
| Name: Shigellosis |
| Also known as: Bacillary Dysentery; Bacterial Dysentery |
| A common intestinal disease in third-world countries and the poorer areas of some developed countries. |
Causes of Shigellosis
A number of different bacteria from the Shigella family can infect the gut under poor sanitary conditions. Spreads when bacteria in the feces of a patient contaminates the food of another person. |
Symptoms of Shigellosis
Severe intermittent abdominal pain, copious diarrhoea, blood and mucus mixed in with the feces, and a high fever. |
Tests for Shigellosis
Diagnosed by examining a sample of feces for the presence of the infecting bacteria. |
Treatment for Shigellosis
Appropriate antibiotics, adequate fluid intake by an intravenous drip in severe cases, medications to relieve abdominal cramps, and a strict diet to avoid foods that may irritate the gut (eg. milk products, eggs and fatty foods). Carers should be very careful in the disposal of the feces and soiled linen to prevent spread of the infection.
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Complications of Shigellosis of its treatment
Severe dehydration may lead to blood clots (thrombosis) that damages the organ supplied by the affected artery. |
Likely Outcome of Shigellosis
In children under three years of age and the elderly may be life-threatening. In older children and adults it can be readily treated, or may persist for several weeks without adequate treatment. |
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