These days, everyone is talking about stomachaches, right? It's really annoying when you suddenly get a stomach ache and have to go to the toilet several times a day. But if you also have a fever, feel like vomiting, and especially if you have some blood or mucus in your stool, it may not be a simple stomach ache. We're talking about one such condition today, which is Shigellosis. The name may be new to you, but this is a common infection that we see among us, especially among young children.
What exactly is Shigellosis?
Simply put, shigellosis is an infection that occurs when a bacterium called Shigella enters our body. It mainly affects our digestive system, that is, the intestines. This bacterium damages the lining of the intestines. That is why we get symptoms like stomach ache and diarrhea.
Think of it like a little enemy that enters our body. This enemy enters our intestines and causes problems there. It is very contagious. That means it can be spread from one person to another very easily. The reason for this is that even a very small amount of this bacteria is enough to make someone sick.
What symptoms occur when this disease develops?
The symptoms of shigellosis can vary slightly from person to person, but there are some common symptoms. Let's take a closer look at them.
| Symptom | A description about it |
|---|---|
| Diarrhea | This is the main symptom. At first, it may be watery. But later, the stools may contain blood, mucus (like phlegm), or pus . You may need to go to the bathroom several times a day. |
| Stomach aches and pains | The pain may feel like it hurts when you touch the stomach, or like it's full. This pain may also feel like it comes and goes. |
| Fever | A fever is also a common symptom. Sometimes, the body may become hot and feverish along with body aches. |
| Vomiting | Some people may also experience nausea and vomiting. |
Doctors sometimes refer to this combination of symptoms as bacillary dysentery , which means diarrhea caused by bacteria.
The important thing is that some people may not show any symptoms even if they have this Shigella bacteria in their body. However, even if they do not have symptoms, they can still spread the disease to others. That is why cleanliness is always very important.
So how does this disease spread to us?
It is spread mainly by bacteria found in the feces of an infected person, which enters our bodies through the mouth. "How does that happen?" you may be thinking. There are several ways it can happen.
- Direct person-to-person transmission: This is the most common way. It spreads quickly, especially in crowded places like daycare centers and dormitories. For example, if someone changes a sick child's diaper and doesn't wash their hands properly, they can spread the disease to another child. Also, someone who is caring for a sick child is at risk.
- From dirty food: If a sick person prepares food without washing their hands properly, the bacteria on their hands can get on the food and infect those who eat it. This can also happen from eating vegetables and fruits that have been washed in dirty water.
- From dirty water: You can become infected if you accidentally swallow some water while bathing or playing water sports in places like streams, rivers, or lakes contaminated with Shigella bacteria.
- Through sexual intercourse: This bacteria can also be transmitted from person to person through some sexual activities.
Who is most at risk of developing this disease?
Although anyone can get shigellosis, some people are at higher risk.
- Children under 5 years of age: Young children can easily get this infection because they often put their hands in their mouths, put things like toys in their mouths, and their immune systems are still developing.
- People who live or travel in areas with poor access to clean water and sanitation.
- People with weakened immune systems: People with diseases like HIV, cancer, or those taking medications that suppress the immune system can be more severely affected by this infection.
- Men who have sex with men: Some sexual activities may increase the risk of transmitting the bacteria.
- People living without homes.
Can this be dangerous? What are the complications?
Most of the time, shigellosis infection resolves on its own within a week. However, in some cases, especially if left untreated or in people with weakened immune systems, it can cause complications.
1. Dehydration: Diarrhea and vomiting cause the body to lose a significant amount of water and salt. This is called dehydration. If it becomes severe, it can be life-threatening. Dry mouth, sunken eyes, decreased urination (urine becomes dark yellow), and feeling extremely tired are symptoms of dehydration.
2. Spread of infection to the bloodstream: Very rarely, this bacteria can enter the bloodstream from the intestines and spread throughout the body.
3. Seizures: Seizures can occur due to high fever, especially in young children.
4. Reactive Arthritis: After the infection has cleared, some people may experience swelling and pain in their joints.
5. Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS): This is a rare but very dangerous complication. It occurs when a toxin produced by bacteria damages the blood vessels in the kidneys, which can lead to kidney failure.
How do I see a doctor and get treatment?
If you or someone in your family has any of the symptoms mentioned above, be sure to see a doctor.
How do you find this, Doctor?
The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine you. Often, the symptoms alone can suggest that you have shigellosis. However, to confirm this, a stool test will be performed. This will determine if the Shigella bacteria are present.
What are the treatments?
If your symptoms are not too severe, you can rest and recover at home. The most important thing is to avoid dehydration.
- Drink plenty of fluids: Drink things like water, juice, porridge, coconut water, and soups frequently.
- Rest: Resting your body helps it recover faster.
Very important: Do not take anti-diarrhea medications (such as Loperamide) without first consulting your doctor, as these can sometimes stop the bacteria from leaving your body, making the illness worse.
If the infection is severe or your immune system is weak, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin or azithromycin). If they do, you should take the medication for the full number of days prescribed, even if you feel better.
If dehydration is severe, you may need to be hospitalized and given intravenous saline (IV fluids).
When should you see a doctor immediately?
If normal diarrhea does not improve within two to three days, it is best to see a doctor. However, if you have the following symptoms, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately .
- Severe diarrhea (if you have it many times a day)
- Unstoppable vomiting
- Severe stomach ache
- If there is a lot of blood in the stool
- Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, lips, sunken eyes, very low urine output, excessive sleepiness or restlessness)
How can you protect yourself from this disease? Prevention is the best!
Shigellosis is a disease that we can easily prevent. The main thing we need to do is take care of cleanliness.
| What to do | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap. | Always wash your hands before eating, before preparing food, after using the bathroom, and after changing your child's diaper. This is the best way to prevent this disease. |
| Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly. | Wash vegetables and fruits that are eaten raw thoroughly with clean, running water. |
| Avoiding drowning in swimming pools, lakes, and rivers. | The water in these places can contain bacteria, so don't put water in your mouth when bathing. |
| Safe disposal of children's soiled diapers. | Put used diapers in a well-covered trash can. |
| Taking care of drinking water. | If you are unsure about the purity of the water in your area, use boiled or bottled water. |
| Avoiding sexual intercourse when you have diarrhea. | If you or your partner has diarrhea, it is wise to avoid sexual intercourse for a week until you have fully recovered. |
Most people recover from shigellosis within a week. However, in some severe cases, the illness can last for several weeks. Sometimes, even after the illness has resolved, it can take several months for your bowel function to return to normal. So it's important to be patient.
Take-Home Message
- Shigellosis is a highly contagious mild diarrheal disease caused by the Shigella bacteria.
- The main symptoms are bloody or mucous-filled diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever.
- The best way to protect yourself from this is to practice good hygiene, including washing your hands thoroughly with soap.
- It's very important to avoid dehydration when you have diarrhea, so drink plenty of fluids.
- Do not take anti-diarrhea medication without medical advice.
- If symptoms are severe, especially if there is blood in the stool or signs of dehydration, see a doctor immediately.
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