Intestinal Infection Treatment

Intestinal infections can cause significant illnesses. If the infection is caused by a bacteria, such as shigella, antibiotics are used. In a parasitic infestation/infection, medication is prescribed to kill the eggs, worms and larvae. In both instances, medical treatment is necessary.

Treating Pinworms

• According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the most common causes of intestinal infection is the pinworm, an intestinal roundworm. Pinworms enter the body through infected foods and beverages or when someone gets the eggs on his hands and touches his mouth.

  One route of infection or reinfection is when the person scratches his anus, then touches his mouth with his fingers. The pinworms and their eggs collect at the anus, causing significant itching.

  Symptoms of pinworms include significant itching in the anal area (vaginal with females as well), insomnia -- the worms collect around the anal opening, laying their eggs at night, which causes the itching. The person may also feel some mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and nausea.

  Anti-parasite medications such as Albendazole (Albenza) or Pyrantel (Pin-X) are prescribed for pinworm infections. Each of these works by killing the eggs, larvae and mature pinworms inside the intestines. More than one treatment may be necessary for severe infections. The doctor also may prescribe a cream or ointment to relieve and soothe nighttime itching.

Shigella and its Treatment

• Shigella is an intestinal infection caused by the shigella bacteria. It can be spread through direct contact with the bacteria in the feces of an infected person, such as in a day care setting, a contaminated swimming pool or contaminated food.

  According to the Mayo Clinic, insufficient hand-washing increases the chances of spreading shigella. Young children, who are still learning how to wash their hands appropriately, are a common source of the bacteria. Shigella can also be spread by food that has been grown in a field infected with the bacteria or by coming into direct contact with flies that have bred in infected feces.

  Shigella symptoms include fever, diarrhea, often with mucus and/or blood and abdominal cramps.

  Depending upon the severity of the infection and the general health of the patient, salt and fluid replacement may be sufficient while the infection runs its course. If the infection is more severe or the patient is an infant, elderly or has a compromised immune system (AIDS), her doctor may prescribe antibiotics such as Bactrim, Cipro or Zithromax. She will also be prescribed antibiotics if she is at high risk of spreading the infection to others. If the infection is severe, she may be ill for several weeks.