Tunisia announced the death of a child after she was infected with the “Shigella” germ, as well as the admission of six other children to the intensive care unit due to complications from infection with the germ, which resulted in a state of panic among parents, and in this regard, the American Center for Disease Control “CDC” said, Shigella bacteria can cause an infection called shigellosis. Most people with shigella infection will have diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, and stomach cramps. Signs usually begin 1 to 2 days after infection and last up to a week. Most people recover without the need for antibiotics. However, antibiotics should be given to people who are very sick and who have chronic conditions that weaken the immune system. Antibiotics can shorten the duration of illness (about two days) and may help reduce outbreaks of Shigella to others. Washing your hands often with soap and running water and following proper hygiene can help. Other hygiene measures help protect you and your family from infection.
symptoms
- People with shigella infection (shigellosis) feel signs 1 to 2 days after coming into contact with the germs. These signs include: diarrhea that can be bloody, high temperature or fever, stomach pain, feeling the urge to pass stools even when the bowel is empty. Some people do not have any symptoms.
- Signs usually last 5-7 days, but a number of people may experience signs for anywhere from a few days to 4 weeks or longer, in a number of cases it may take several months before bowel habits are completely normal.
When do you call your doctor?
People with diarrhea should contact their doctor if they have any of the following signs: fever, bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramps or pain, dehydration.
Diagnosis
An infection is diagnosed when an analysis laboratory identifies Shigella in the stool of a sick person. The analysis can be a culture that isolates the bacteria or an immediate diagnostic test that detects the bacteria’s genetic material.
treatment
If you have bloody diarrhea or severe stomach cramps or pain, especially if you also have a fever or feel very ill, call your health care provider if you or someone in your family is sick. Also tell your health care provider if you have: Other medical conditions or a weakened immune system, such as HIV infection or chemotherapy, because you may be more likely to develop severe disease.
In a related context, the CDC stated that people with shigella infection should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, and people with bloody diarrhea should not use anti-diarrhea drugs such as loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil). Antibiotics can reduce the duration of your fever and diarrhea by about two days, he said, adding that ciprofloxacin and azithromycin, two recommended oral antibiotics, can be taken.
Steps to prevent shigella infection
Shigella germs can spread smoothly from person to person, and it only takes a small amount of Shigella to make someone sick.
The most important steps to avoid getting sick:
- Carefully clean your hands with soap and water during key times.
- Clean before preparing food or eating.
- After going to the bathroom, changing a diaper, or cleaning up after someone has gone to the bathroom.