Shigellosis

 Shigellosis is a bacterial infection that affects the digestive system.

Etiologic Agent
 caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella.  There are four different species of Shigella:
 Shigella sonnei (the most common species in the United States)
 Shigella flexneri
 Shigella boydii
 Shigella dysenteriae

Mode of Transmission
 Fecal-oral transmission
 Getting Shigella germs on their hands and then touching your food or mouth. You can
get Shigella germs on your hands after:
o Touching surfaces contaminated with germs from stool from a sick person, such as toys,
bathroom fixtures, changing tables or diaper pails
o Changing the diaper of a sick child or caring for a sick person
 Eating food that was prepared by someone who is sick with shigellosis
 Swallowing recreational water (for example, lake or river water) while swimming or drinking
water that is contaminated with stool (poop) containing the germ

Incubation Period- The incubation period depends on the serotype. It varies from 12 hours to 4 days,
but is usually 1–7 days.

Period of Communicability
 During acute infection and until the infectious agent is no longer present in faeces, as determined
by negative culture, usually within 4 weeks after onset of illness. Asymptomatic carriers may
transmit infection. Rarely, the carrier state may persist for months or longer. Appropriate
antimicrobial treatment usually reduces duration of carriage to a few days.

Signs and Symptoms

 Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
 Fever
 Stomach pain
 Feeling the need to pass stool [poop] even when the bowels are empty

Diagnostic Procedure
 Stool exam- presence of shigella bacteria or their toxins.

Treatment Modalities
 Treatment will usually include antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria from your digestive tract.
 azithromycin (Zithromax)
 ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
 sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim)
 Fluid and salt replacement- Children may benefit from an oral rehydration solution, such as
Pedialyte

Nursing Management
 Instruct to avoid eating raw foods
  Educate on proper hygiene and disposing human excreta
 Monitor intake and output
 Give antipyretic for fever
 Instruct to increase fluid intake do avoid dehydration

Prevention
 You can prevent shigellosis by practicing good personal hygiene.
 Wash your hands before and after you use the bathroom or change a diaper.
 Discard dirty diapers in a closed bag or trashcan to prevent the spread of the bacteria. Use soap
and warm water every time you wash your hands.
 Wipe down changing tables and kitchen counters with antibacterial wipes before and after use.
 Avoid close personal contact with someone who is infected with Shigella until at least 2 days after
the diarrhea has ended.