Contents
What is Shigellosis?
Shigellosis is a potentially serious bacterial infection caused by the Shigella bacteria and can cause severe diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. It is highly contagious and may be spread through contaminated food or water, or contact with an infected person.
What Are the Symptoms of Shigellosis?
The symptoms of shigellosis can vary but typically include watery diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, fever, nausea and vomiting. Most cases have a mild course and resolve spontaneously within a few days. However, some cases can be more severe and may require medical attention.
Prevention of Shigellosis
As shigellosis is highly contagious, it is important to practice good hygiene to help prevent its spread. This includes washing hands with soap and warm water after using the bathroom, changing diapers and before preparing food.
Cooking and Food Safety
Cooking food thoroughly can also help reduce the risk of infection. Make sure that foods such as poultry, meat, eggs, and seafood are cooked all the way through. Fruits and vegetables should also be washed before eating.
Treatment of Shigellosis
Most cases of shigellosis can resolve without treatment, however, severe cases may require antibiotics. It is important to contact a doctor if symptoms worsen or persist.
Follow Up Care
After treatment, it is important to follow up with a doctor and make sure that any signs or symptoms of shigellosis have cleared. Additionally, it is important to continue following good hygiene practices such as frequent hand-washing to help prevent the spread of the infection.
Keywords:
Shigellosis, Prevention, Treatment, Symptoms, Hygiene, Food Safety, Cook, Bacterial Infection