Shigella: what it is and what you can do to protect yourself
and your family
Handwashing is the #1 way to prevent Shigella
What is Shigella?
•
Shigella is a bacterial infection that may
cause diarrhea, fever stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches and in severe
cases, convulsions
•
People infected with Shigella may have no
symptoms
•
ANYONE can get Shigella
•
If you come into contact with Shigella,
you may not notice symptoms for 1 – 3 days (symptoms usually appear 12 – 96
hours after exposure)
•
The Kansas City metro area is experiencing
an increase in this infection
How is Shigella spread?
•
Shigella is spread when an uninfected
person get the feces/stool of an infected person in their mouth
•
People can come in contact with Shigella
from hands, objects or food handled by someone infected with Shigella
•
It only takes a few bacteria, sometimes as
few as 10 organisms to make a person sick
What about daycare, work or school?
•
Children who attend daycare or adults who
work in daycare should not return until they have had one Shigella-free stool
culture
•
Persons who work in food service or health
care should not return to work until they have had two Shigella-free stool cultures
•
Persons with diarrhea should not attend
school until their diarrhea has been completely gone for at least 24 hours
What else should I know about Shigella?
•
Consult your Healthcare Provider if anyone
in your household has symptoms of Shigella
•
Your Healthcare provider will decide if
you need to take antibiotics
Shigella Do’s
•
Wash your hands after using the toilet, after assisting a child with
toileting or after changing a diaper. Wash the child’s or infant’s hands as
well
•
Wash your hands before preparing/handling or eating food or beverages
•
Clean and sanitize any objects that come into contact with feces. This
includes toilets, potty chairs, sinks, toys, and diaper changing areas. Use a
product that kills bacteria.
•
Wash fresh fruits and vegetables before eating
•
Wash and cut melons under running water
Shigella Don’ts
•
Don’t take over the-counter anti-diarrheal medications, as they may
only make this infection worse.
•
Don’t allow play in sand boxes, play-dough or anything else that cannot
be cleaned.
•
Don’t use a swimming pool, water park, standing water table play or
shared baths for at least 2 weeks after the diarrhea has stopped.
What is the
best way to wash my hands?
•
Wet hands with warm water and apply soap
•
Rub soap over tops and palms of each hand, including wrists and
fingernails for at least 20 seconds. Hum “Happy Birthday” twice
•
Dry hands with a paper towel or allow to air dry
More
information for child care providers can be found at the link below on pages 197-199:
Please contact the Platte County Health
Department at 816-858-2412 if you have any additional questions or concerns
