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Shigella

Shigella is a bacterial infection that can cause a diarrheal illness in humans. It is transmitted by fecal to oral contact, improper hand washing after going to the bathroom or handling diapers, and handling food. It can also be transmitted by eating vegetables harvested from a field with sewage, drinking, swimming in, or playing with contaminated water.

There are several different kinds of shigella bacteria. Once you have been infected your chances of being infected with the same strain are slim. However, you can be infected with another strain.

Signs & Symptoms: begin 1-2 after exposure and last for 5-7 days.

• Diarrhea (often bloody)
• Fever
• Stomach Cramps
• Seizures

Complications:

• Joint Pain
• Eye irritation
• Painful urination

Prevention:

• Wash hands thoroughly after going to the bathroom or handling diapers, and before handling food.
• Supervise children who are not fully toilet trained and educate them in proper hand washing techniques.
• After use, wipe down diaper changing areas with a disinfectant, such as lysol or bleach, especially when dealing with multiple children.
• Children with Shigella infection should be kept home and isolated from uninfected children.
• People diagnosed with Shigella should not prepare food or drinks for others until they have had no diarrhea for at least 2 days.
• Do not allow children with diarrhea , even those in diapers swim.
• When traveling to second or third world countries, drink only treated or boiled water and eat only cooked hot foods or fruits that you peel yourself.