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Shigella June 2014

Shigella dysentery is an infection of the bowel caused by the Shigella bacterium, which is spread through poor hygiene practices. It causes diarrhea that can contain blood or mucus. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, and feeling depressed. While most cases in the UK are mild, it can be severe or fatal if untreated, especially in developing countries with poor sanitation. Treatment involves rehydration and antibiotics if it does not clear up on its own. Prevention relies on thorough handwashing and avoiding contact with infected individuals.

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18 views2 pages

Shigella June 2014

Shigella dysentery is an infection of the bowel caused by the Shigella bacterium, which is spread through poor hygiene practices. It causes diarrhea that can contain blood or mucus. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, and feeling depressed. While most cases in the UK are mild, it can be severe or fatal if untreated, especially in developing countries with poor sanitation. Treatment involves rehydration and antibiotics if it does not clear up on its own. Prevention relies on thorough handwashing and avoiding contact with infected individuals.

Uploaded by

Nur Iffah
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Shigella dysentery: important information

Borders
What are Shigella infections?

Dysentery is a type of infection that can cause very severe diarrhoea. It's usually passed on
through poor hygiene. There are two main types: bacillary dysentery, which is more
common, and amoebic dysentery.

Bacillary dysentery is most common in the UK and is caused by a bacterium called Shigella,
of which there are four species:
 Shigella sonnei (most common cause of dysentery in the UK)
 Shigella flexneri
 Shigella dysenteriae
 Shigella boydii

The shigella organism enters the body through the mouth and then multiplies in the bowel,
which produces a range of symptoms. The disease is sometimes called shigellosis. The time
taken from coming into contact with the germs until the illness starts) is usually 1 – 3 days, but
can be up to a week.

What are the symptoms?

Most people in the UK who have shigellosis only have mild symptoms and may not even visit
a GP as the condition can settle within a few days. Severe infections are more common if
you're travelling abroad, and in some cases, dysentery can be fatal if not treated.
Symptoms of bacillary dysentery usually begin within one to three days of infection and can
last from three to seven days. The symptoms could include:
 watery diarrhoea, sometimes containing blood, mucus or pus in severe cases
 feeling sick and vomiting
 abdominal pain
 fever
 feeling down or depressed

How is it passed on?

Shigellosis is spread from person to person through poor hygiene measures, for example not
washing your hands thoroughly after using the toilet. In the UK, most cases are spread
through families and where people are in close contact, such as schools, nurseries, military
bases and day-centres.

Dysentery is also spread through food that has come into contact with water contaminated
with human sewage, such as in countries with poor sanitation systems. This is why more
severe dysentery is more common in developing countries, where water supplies and
sewage disposal are inadequate or where human faeces are used as a fertilizer.

If you have diarrhoea that contains blood or mucus you should see your GP. Tell them if you
have been abroad.
How should it be managed?

Diagnosis is made by testing a stool sample to see if the bacteria that cause dysentery are
present. Further investigations, such as an ultrasound may be used if dysentery has caused
further problems such as an ulcer.

If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, it's very important to drink plenty of fluids to replace
those lost and stop you getting dehydrated. Water, fruit juice and isotonic (sports) drinks that
replace salts and minerals are best. In severe cases, fluid can be given by intravenous drip
at a hospital if required.

Since most cases of dysentery are short, antibiotics are only used if the dysentery doesn't
clear up on its own. Antibiotics can also be used to stop the spread of dysentery to other
people if there is a high risk.

Young children and babies who have dysentery can quickly become dehydrated. Its very
important make sure they get plenty of fluids to replace those lost, or dysentery can be fatal.

Dysentery is spread because of poor hygiene measures. To minimise the risk of catching the
disease you should:
 wash hands after using the toilet and regularly throughout the day, particularly after
coming in contact with an infected person
 keep contact with an infected person to a minimum
 avoid sharing towels and facecloths
 wash the laundry of an infected person on the hottest setting possible
 wash your hands before handling, eating or cooking food, handling babies and
feeding the young or the elderly

Avoid drinking tap water in countries with poor sanitation systems or that are known to carry
waterborne infections. Avoid ice cubes, and salad and vegetables that have been washed
in local tap water as well.

A child with dysentery shouldn't return to school until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.
An adult with dysentery should avoid work and get advice from their organisation before
returning to work if they are employed in a food or healthcare environment.

Need further advice or information?

 NHS Inform www.nhsinform.co.uk


 NHS24  111 www.nhs24.co.uk
 www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk
 Local health clinic or GP

This document is available on request in different languages, audio tape, Braille format,
large print or BSL DVD. Please contact:
NHS Borders on 01896 825522 or email equality@borders.scot.nhs.uk

Produced by: Public Health Dept, NHS Borders, Education Centre, Borders General Hospital,
Melrose, TD6 9BD, 01896 825560
June 2014

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