General Information About Shigellosis
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a highly contagious form of bloody diarrhea caused by bacteria called Shigella, which invade the inner lining of the large intestine, break down cells, and form sores (ulcers).
Amoebic dysentery is caused by 'parasites (amoebas)' and usually has a slow onset. Bacillary dysentery (Shigellosis) is caused by 'bacteria'; the illness starts very suddenly, the fever is much higher, and the number of diarrheal episodes can reach 20-30 times a day.
It only lives in humans. It spreads in seconds when an infected person does not wash their hands properly after using the toilet and the food/water they touch with those hands is consumed by a healthy person (fecal-oral route).
Severe abdominal cramps, a sudden persistent high fever, the constant feeling of needing to use the toilet (tenesmus), and the stool gradually decreasing, being completely replaced by fresh red blood and a slimy pus (mucus).
The bloody and mucous diarrhea described by the patient raises immediate suspicion. A definitive diagnosis is made by sending a fresh stool (feces) sample from the patient for a culture test to grow and identify the Shigella bacteria.
Unlike ordinary diarrhea, anti-diarrheal (bowel-stopping) medications are absolutely not used in shigellosis, as this would cause the bacteria to become trapped inside. The lost fluid is replaced intravenously, and specific antibiotics derived from Ciprofloxacin or Azithromycin are used to kill the bacteria.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
