Shigellosis: drugs, symptoms, causes, etc. & bull; hello healthy

x

Definition

What is shigellosis?

Shigellosis or bacillary dysentery, is dysentery caused by infection of the Shigella bacterial family in the intestines and rectum. The main signs of a Shigella infection are diarrhea and bloody stool.

This infection is highly contagious. Shigella can be spread by direct contact with bacteria in contaminated feces or food. You can also become infected if you swim in unclean water.

In mild cases, this disease can disappear on its own within a week. However, in more serious cases, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

How common is shigellosis?

Shigellosis mostly affects children aged 2-4 years. The disease is mostly spread in playgroups, elementary schools and unhygienic day care centers.

People in developing countries who do not have adequate supplies of clean water often suffer from dysentery which is more severe and difficult to heal.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of shigellosis?

The incubation period for shigellosis is usually 3 days, but can range from 1 to 7 days. Symptoms that appear include:

• fever, can be high in children,
• persistent stomach cramps,
• diarrhea,
• nausea or vomiting,
• muscle pain and fatigue, and
• bloody or slimy stool.

Some of the other symptoms or signs may not be listed above. If you feel anxious about these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.

When to see a doctor for this condition?

You need to call your doctor if you or your child has blood in the stool, is dehydrated, is losing weight and has a fever over 38 degrees Celsius.

Every body acts differently from one another. Talk to your doctor about the best solution for your situation.

Causes and risk factors

What causes shigellosis?

The shigella bacteria are usually found in the feces or feces of infected people. Spread can occur in a number of ways.

• Direct Shigella Exposure: Direct contact between humans is the most common means of spreading disease. For example, if you don't wash your hands thoroughly after changing the diaper of a baby infected with Shigella, you may become infected.
• Eating contaminated food: Infectious diseases can be transmitted through contaminated food. For example, a person who cooks will transfer bacteria into the food; or the area around the food contains contaminated waste water.
• Drinking contaminated water: drinking or swimming in water contaminated by Shigella also causes bacillary dysentery.

What increases the risk of getting shigellosis?

Indeed, this disease can affect anyone. However, the risk is higher in people who fall into the following groups.

• Are under 5 years of age, because the immune system has not worked perfectly to protect the body from disease.
• Living or exploring areas with poor sanitation.
• Often eat food sold on the side of the road with a low level of hygiene.
• Have frequent anal sex.

Diagnosis and treatment

How is this condition diagnosed?

The doctor will usually do a physical examination first. From this examination, your doctor can tell you any symptoms that you feel, such as:

• dehydration (lack of body fluids) along with tachycardia and low blood pressure,
• stomach pain, and
• the number of white blood cells is higher than normal.

Then to make a diagnosis, the doctor may perform further tests by taking a sample of the patient's stool.

Later, the sample will be examined in the laboratory to detect the presence or absence of Shigella bacteria.

What are the treatment options that can be given?

Usually, you don't need special handling to deal with this disease. You get enough rest and drink enough water to prevent dehydration which is prone to attack due to losing a lot of fluids.

You also shouldn't take anti-diarrhea medicine. It is feared that taking this drug can worsen your condition.

Drugs such as loperamide or those containing a combination of diphenoxylate and atropine actually slow down the digestive tract and decrease the body's ability to clear bacteria.

Medicines that are preferred are those containing bismuth subsalicylate. This medicine will help reduce the frequency of bowel movements and shorten the duration of the disease.

However, this drug is not recommended for children, pregnant women, or people who have allergies to aspirin.

For safer use, you should consult your doctor before choosing a drug at a pharmacy.

For patients whose infection is more severe, especially if they experience bloody diarrhea and unbearable abdominal pain, doctors may prescribe antibiotics to speed healing.

However, not all patients will get antibiotics, the drug will be given according to the severity. Infants, the elderly, or those who have HIV may need antibiotics more.

Home remedies

What home remedies can be used to treat shigellosis?

The lifestyle and home remedies below may help treat your shigellosis. Here are some things to watch out for.

• Rest until conditions improve, wash blankets and sheets with soap and warm water as often as possible, especially after recovering.
• Use separate shower gloves or a toilet brush with the bleach solution.
• Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before eating.
• Eat foods such as soup or soft porridge, then slowly return to normal food while still making an effort to eat cooked fruits and vegetables.
• Do not swallow water while swimming.
• Don't have sex for at least a week until you are completely cured.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.