What is Shigella bacteria: symptoms, causes. Risks & treatmentz
What is Shigella bacteria?
According to reports published on CCD, Shigella bacteria spreads due to an infection called Shigellosis. A person suffering from this problem has diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever and stomach cramps. Its symptoms usually start after 1-2 days and last for 7 days. Most people recover from this problem without antibiotic medicines. However, in many situations it can take a serious form. This bacteria overwhelms the immune system.
What are the symptoms of Shigella bacteria?
Shigella bacteria can cause many types of problems in the body, such as-
- Diarrhea
- stomach pain and cramps
- fever problem
- headache problem
- Excessive vomiting (including bloody vomiting in some cases)
- feeling physically tired
- blood in stool
Keep in mind that Shigella bacteria causes excessive vomiting and diarrhea. In such a situation, there may be excessive water deficiency in the body, due to which the patient’s condition may worsen. In such a situation, if such symptoms appear in your body, then immediately consult a doctor.
What are the causes of Shigella bacteria?
Shigella bacteria are usually found in the feces, or poop, of infected people. The bacteria spread when someone comes in contact with the feces of an infected person or an object that has been contaminated with feces or bacteria.
This infection can also spread from one person to another. Especially by coming in contact with food and water that has come in contact with an infected person, other people can also get this problem. Apart from this, this bacteria can also spread through sexual contact with an infected person. Shillega bacteria can be spread through many different foods. But in most of the cases it is spread through raw vegetables or undercooked vegetables.
What are the risks of shigellosis?
Children under five years of age are at higher risk of getting Shigella infection, although this infection can occur at any age.
This infection can also spread through close contact with a person. The risk of this infection spreading or occurring in childcare centers, community swimming pools, nursing homes, jails etc. is high. Because, there is lack of cleanliness here.
People who travel to developing countries are also more likely to contract shigellosis.
What is the treatment for shigellosis?
- To diagnose shigellosis, the doctor will first ask you about its symptoms and medical history. After this they can do your physical examination.
- Shigellosis can have many causes. A lab test may be needed to find out whether you have shigellosis. For this you may be asked to give a stool sample. Along with this, other lab tests can also be done to know which antibiotic will be most effective in your disease.
- The aim of treatment in shigellosis is to provide fluids and electrolytes to replace the water lost by the patient during diarrhoea. Medicines to prevent diarrhea are not given for its treatment because these can take more time to cure the infection.
- It is advisable to take electrolyte solutions to compensate for the lack of water in the body. There are many types of electrolyte solutions available in the market.
- Antibiotics can reduce your infection. These are used in case of severe shigellosis. However, some Shigella bacteria may become drug resistant. Therefore, do not take these medicines unless the infection is severe.
- Antibiotics may also be necessary for infants and the elderly. If you have diarrhea, but along with it you also have the problem of nausea. If you are unable to take fluids by mouth, you may need medical care and intravenous (IV) fluids.
