Why is Shigella in the News?
Recently, health officials in Kozhikode, Kerala called an emergency meeting after six confirmed cases of the infection, and 20 suspected cases were detected , reported The Indian Express on 19 December. The infection was detected mostly among children, and one 11-year-old child with a suspected case has reportedly died from it.
The child was admitted at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital when he complained of severe diarrhoea. His condition worsened and he soon passed away. Many people who attended his funeral reported similar conditions, and it was found they consumed either water or food from his house. Lab samples confirmed six cases of shigella, and 20 suspected cases mostly in children.
What is Shigella?
As per Mayo Clinic, Shigella infection, or shigellosis, is a highly contagious intestinal infection caused by a family of bacteria known as shigella. One of the main symptoms of the infection is diarrhoea, which is often bloody. It mainly affects children below the age of five.
The bacteria one of the main pathogens responsible for diarrhoea, which is one of the main causes of deaths in children in India.
How Does it Transfer?
You can get infected with shigella when you come in contact with or swallow tiny amounts of bacteria from the stool of an infected person. This sounds pretty disgusting, but it is common in child-care settings with low levels of hygiene. For example, when the caregiver does not follow proper hand hygiene between changing diapers of infants or during their toilet training episodes.
The infection is most commonly transferred through infected food or water, or by swimming in contaminated water.
Once the bacteria enters the body, it attacks the epithelial lining of the colon which then causes inflammation and eventual destruction of the cells in the more severe cases.
Mayo Clinic says that the risk factors include being a child, living or travelling in unhygienic areas. Another group at risk is unsafe sex practices as it can transfer from direct or indirect oral-anal contact during sexual activity.
Symptoms to Watch Out For
- A person infected with shigella can experience:
- Most commonly diarrhoea which is often bloody
- Fever
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomitting
Though there are cases where people do not experience these signs.
When Should You Consult a Doctor?
Shigella is usually not severe or deadly.
Patients usually have diarrhoea for a few days before it subsides. If the diarrhoea goes on for more than a week, or the symptoms of fever or stomach pain remain as well, it is best to check with a doctor. It is usually manageable with antibiotics and rest.
Complications like seizures or even death, may occur only in undiagnosed cases, where the infection is left untreated despite persistent symptoms.
How to Stay Safe From Shigella?
One of the tips we have learnt from the COVID pandemic is the importance of hand hygiene. The same can be practised to be safe from all other infections too. Ensure children are frequently washing their hands and their diapers are thrown safely and properly.
It’s best to wash your hands properly before eating anything and to make sure the water you are drinking is clean and safe. If you do not have a water filtration system, you can simply boil the water before consuming it.
Avoid eating street food from unhygienic places, and avoid drinking the water when swimming in lakes or pools.
Remember, shigella is usually not severe, and can be treated effectively if and when it is caught. If you do have diarrhoea or have a child with diarrhoea, it is best to stay away from group settings and not prepare meals for others during this time to curb the spread of any infection.
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