Shigellosis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Shigellosis is a disease of the intestine caused by a group of bacteria known as Shigella. Generally, this condition is characterized by symptoms of diarrhea, which are often accompanied by blood.
Shigella can be transmitted through direct contact with bacteria found in feces. For example, this can happen when someone is changing a child’s diaper or helping a child with toilet training but does not clean their hands properly.
Shigella bacteria can also be transmitted through contaminated food or drink. Another condition that can also make a person infected with Shigella is when swimming in contaminated water.
Children aged 2–4 years are the most frequently infected group with shigellosis infection. Mild cases generally subside within a week.
Shigellosis Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of shigellosis generally appear one to two days after contact with Shigella bacteria. However, these bacteria sometimes take up to a week to develop.
Signs and symptoms experienced usually include:
- Diarrhea (often with blood or mucus)
- Pain or cramps in the stomach
- Fever
Although some people experience no symptoms after being infected with the Shigella bacteria, their feces can still have an infectious effect for up to several weeks.
Shigellosis Reason
Shigellosis can occur when a person accidentally ingests Shigella bacteria. This can happen if someone:
- Touching the mouth with dirty hands. If a person does not wash their hands properly and cleanly after changing a child’s diaper infected with Shigella bacteria, that person can become infected. Direct contact from one individual to another is one of the most frequent ways of disease transmission.
- Eating contaminated food. Individuals who are infected and work in processing food can transmit the bacteria to individuals who consume the food. Food can also be contaminated with bacteria if grown in fields contaminated with sewage.
- Swallowing contaminated water. The water can become contaminated with bacteria from sewage or from individuals infected with Shigella bacteria, who swim in the water.
Several factors can also increase a person’s risk of experiencing shigellosis, namely:
- Children. Shigellosis infection most often occurs in children aged 2–4 years.
- Lives in groups or frequently participates in group activities. Close contact with other individuals can increase the possibility of transmitting bacteria from one individual to another. Cases of shigellosis that occur simultaneously are often found in childcare centers, public swimming pools, nursing homes, prisons, and other mass housing.
- Living in an unsanitary area. Individuals living or visiting remote areas of a developing country, especially areas that are not very clean, have a higher chance of developing shigellosis infection.
Diagnosis
Diarrhea, whether accompanied by blood or not, can occur due to a number of diseases. Confirming the diagnosis of shigellosis generally requires taking a stool sample for further evaluation in the laboratory.
From the results of laboratory tests, we can be sure of the presence of Shigella bacteria or toxic substances from these bacteria.
Shigellosis Treatment
Shigellosis infection generally lasts 5–7 days. Replacing body fluids lost due to diarrhea is an important element of treating the problem.
Some of the handling steps that are generally carried out are:
- Administration of antibiotics. In severe shigellosis infections, treatment with antibiotics is considered to shorten the duration of the patient’s complaints. However, some types of Shigella bacteria are also known to be resistant to several types of antibiotics. Therefore, giving antibiotics should be done according to the doctor’s recommendations after a detailed medical interview and direct physical examination.
- Antibiotics are often needed in cases that occur in children, elderly individuals, and individuals with HIV infection. This treatment is necessary especially in situations where there is a high risk of disease transmission.
- Replacement fluid intake. In adults without other complaints, consuming sufficient amounts of water can help avoid the dehydration effects of diarrhea. In addition, oral rehydration solutions may also be useful.
Children and adults who are severely dehydrated need to be treated in an emergency room. This is necessary so that health workers can intensively provide replacement fluids through the veins. Replacement fluids through an IV can provide water and essential nutrients to the body more quickly than oral rehydration fluids.
Prevention
Currently, the World Health Organization is conducting research to develop a vaccine to prevent shigellosis. However, several ways can be applied in everyday life to prevent someone from being infected with the Shigella bacteria, including:
- Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly
- Observe children while washing hands
- Dispose of dirty diapers in their place
- Disinfect the diaper changing area after each use
- Do not prepare food for others when you have diarrhea
- Ensure that a child with diarrhea does not travel to school, child care or playgroups
- Prevents swallowing water from ponds, lakes or swimming pools that are not cleaned
- Avoiding sexual activity with other people who have diarrhea or have recently recovered from diarrhea