- Main signs and symptoms
- How to confirm the diagnosis
- How the treatment is done
- When to go to the doctor
- How to prevent infection with shigellosis
Shigellosis, also known as bacterial dysentery, is an infection of the intestine caused by the bacteria Shigella , which causes symptoms such as diarrhea, bellyache, nausea, vomiting and headache.
Generally, this infection happens through the ingestion of water or food contaminated by feces and, therefore, it is more frequent in children who do not wash their hands after playing in the grass or in the sand, for example.
Usually, shigellosis disappears naturally after 5 to 7 days, but if symptoms persist or worsen it is advisable to go to the general practitioner to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment, if necessary.
Main signs and symptoms
The first symptoms of infection with Shigella appear 1 to 2 days after the contamination and include:
- Diarrhea, which may contain blood; Fever above 38ºC; Belly pain; Excessive tiredness; Willingness to defecate constantly.
However, there are also people who have the infection, but have no symptoms, so the body can eliminate the bacteria without knowing that they have ever been infected.
These symptoms can be more intense in people who have weakened immune systems, as in the case of the elderly, children or diseases such as HIV, cancer, lupus or multiple sclerosis, for example.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The only way to confirm the diagnosis of Shigellosis is to have a stool test to identify, in the laboratory, the presence of the Shigella bacteria .
However, in most cases, the doctor only identifies that you have an intestinal infection, indicating the generic treatment for these cases. Only when the symptoms do not improve after 3 days can the doctor ask for a stool test to confirm the cause and start a more specific treatment.
How the treatment is done
In most cases, shigellosis is treated naturally by the body, as the immune system can eliminate the bacteria in about 5 to 7 days. However, to alleviate symptoms and speed recovery, some precautions are advised, such as:
- Drink at least 2 liters of water a day, or whey, or coconut water; Keep the rest at home for at least 1 or 2 days; Avoid remedies for diarrhea, as they prevent the bacteria from being eliminated; Eat a light diet, low in fats or foods with sugar. See what you can eat with an intestinal infection.
When symptoms are very intense or take time to disappear, the doctor may prescribe the use of an antibiotic, such as Azithromycin, to help the body eliminate the bacteria and ensure a cure.
When to go to the doctor
Although the treatment can be done at home, it is important to go to the doctor to start a more specific treatment when the symptoms worsen, do not improve after 2 or 3 days or when blood appears in the diarrhea.
How to prevent infection with shigellosis
The transmission of shigellosis occurs when food or objects contaminated with feces are placed in the mouth and, therefore, to avoid catching the infection, care must be taken in daily life, such as:
- Wash your hands regularly, especially before eating or after using the bathroom; Wash food before eating, especially fruits and vegetables; Avoid drinking water from lakes, rivers or waterfalls; Avoid intimate contact with people with diarrhea.
In addition, people who have this infection should also avoid preparing food for other people.
