How to Test for Shigella

Shigella, or shigellosis, is a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea. It is not unusual for the diarrhea to be bloody. Shigella most often affects children between the ages of 2 and 4, but anyone can get it. This infection, which is most common during the summer, is transmitted by those who come into direct contact with infected stool or sewage that contains shigella and then do not practice proper hand washing techniques and basic sanitation. According to Mayo Clinic, shigella is confirmed by laboratory tests and can be antibiotic resistant, so doctors prescribe medication only in severe cases or if the person with shigella already has a weak immune system.

Instructions

• 1

  Learn the general course that shigella follows when it is transmitted. A shigella infection typically begins within two days of exposure, lasts about one week and in addition to diarrhea that may have blood or mucus in it, your child might experience abdominal cramps or run a fever. Call the doctor if your child becomes dehydrated or has a fever that is 101 F or higher.

• 2

  Educate yourself on the risk factors for contracting shigella, but keep in mind that good hygiene is the best prevention; in developing countries it should be assumed that shigella is present most of the time and care should be taken. Group settings such as military barracks, child care centers and nursing homes are common sources for shigella outbreaks. Men in same-sex relationships also are at a higher risk for contracting shigella.

• 3

  Doctors can identify the bacteria that causes shigella with a laboratory test.

  Schedule an appointment with your doctor to confirm shigella if you are aware of other shigella cases in the community or if your child is having difficulty staying hydrated and is running a high fever; intravenous hydration in the hospital may be required. Laboratory tests on the infected stool can identify the presence of shigella bacteria and other tests can help the doctor determine what, if any, antibiotics are needed. About 14,000 cases of shigella are reported annually in the United States, though that number may be 20 times higher due to mild infections that are not confirmed with testing or receive medical intervention.

• 4

  Take prescribed antibiotics, if necessary, to shorten the shigella infection by a few days or to help stop a shigella outbreak. Do not treat the diarrhea with over-the-counter medications such as Imodium or Lomotil, because both can exacerbate the symptoms. Doctors may prescribe ciprofloxacin for adults or ampicillin, Rocephin, Septra or Bactrim; finish all medication.