How is shigellosis treated?
People with mild infections usually get better quickly, without taking medicine. When treatment is necessary, health care providers usually prescribe an antibiotic such as ampicillin or ciprofloxacin. Antidiarrheal medicines may make the illness worse. Can shigellosis lead to other health problems? People who had diarrhea symptoms usually recover completely, although their bowel habits may not return to normal until several months later. S. dysenteriae type 1 produces Shiga toxin and can lead to life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the same complication that develops in some cases of infection with E. coli (enterohemorrhagic E. coli or EHEC). S. flexneri infection can progress to Reiter’s syndrome which can last for months or years and can lead to chronic arthritis. Its symptoms are • Painful joints • Irritated eyes • Painful urination Ways to prevent shigellosis. • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before preparing foods and beverages. • Wash hands thoroughly afte
