Shigellosis
92409
225316558
2008-07-13T01:38:43Z
Arcadian
104523
infobox
{{onesource|article|date= March 2007}}
{{Infobox_Disease |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Image = |
Caption = |
DiseasesDB = 12005 |
ICD10 = {{ICD10|A|03||a|00}} |
ICD9 = {{ICD9|004}} |
ICDO = |
OMIM = |
MedlinePlus = |
eMedicineSubj = med |
eMedicineTopic = 2112 |
MeshID = D004405 |
}}
'''Shigellosis''', also known as '''bacillary dysentery''' in its most severe manifestation, is a [[foodborne illness]] caused by infection by [[bacterium|bacteria]] of the genus ''[[Shigella]]''. It accounts for less than 10% of the reported outbreaks of foodborne illness in the [[USA]]. Shigellosis rarely occurs in animals other than humans and other primates like monkeys and chimpanzees. The causative organism is frequently found in water polluted with human [[feces]], and is transmitted via the [[fecal-oral route]]. The usual mode of transmission is directly person-to-person hand-to-mouth, in the setting of poor hygiene among children. Ten to fifteen (10-15)% of people affected will die.
==Symptoms==
Symptoms may range from mild [[abdomen|abdominal]] discomfort to full-blown [[dysentery]] characterized by [[cramps]], [[diarrhoea]], [[fever]], [[vomiting]], blood, pus, or mucus in stools or [[tenesmus]]<ref>Merck Manuals Online Edition: [http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec17/ch190/ch190q.html ''Shigellosis'']</ref>. Onset time is 12 to 50 hours.
Infections are associated [[mucosal ulceration]], [[rectal bleeding]], drastic [[dehydration]]; fatality may be as high as 10-15% with some strains. [[Reiter's disease]] and [[hemolytic uremic syndrome]] are possible sequelae that have been reported in the aftermath of shigellosis.
''Shigella'' can be transmitted through [[food]]. Food known to do so includes [[salad]]s (potato, tuna, shrimp, macaroni, and chicken), raw [[vegetable]]s, [[milk]] and [[dairy product]]s, and [[meat]]. Contamination of these foods is usually through the fecal-oral route. Fecally contaminated [[water]] and unsanitary handling by food handlers are the most common causes of contamination.
An estimated 18,000 cases of shigellosis occur annually in the [[United States]]. Infants, the elderly, and the infirm are susceptible to the severest symptoms of disease, but all humans are susceptible to some degree. Shigellosis is a very common malady suffered by individuals with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ([[AIDS]]) and [[AIDS-related complex]].
== Prevention of Shigellosis ==
Simple precautions can be taken to prevent getting Shigellosis: wash hands before handling food and thoroughly cook all food before eating.
== Treatment of Shigellosis ==
Treatment consists mainly of replacing fluids and salts lost because of diarrhea. Oral replacement is satisfactory for most people, but some may need to receive fluids intravenously. In most cases, the disease resolves within 4 to 8 days without antibiotics. Severe infections may last 3 to 6 weeks. Antibiotics such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, or furazolidone may be given when the person is very young or very old, when the disease is severe, or when there is a high risk of the infection spreading to other people. The severity of the symptoms and the length of time the stool contains Shigella are reduced with antibiotics. Antidiarrheal drugs (such as diphenoxylate or loperamide) may prolong the infection and should not be used.
==External links==
* [http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/shigellosis_g.htm CDC's Shigellosis Information Page]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Bacterial diseases}}
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