Shigellosis Treatment & Management

Author: Joyann A Kroser, MD; Chief Editor: Julian Katz, MD more...

Updated: Dec 5, 2011

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Medical Care
Consultations
Diet
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Medical Care

General supportive care of patients with shigellosis includes the following:^[5]
- High fever in children should be treated.
- Narcotic-related antidiarrheals should be avoided.
- Antibiotic treatment is indicated in most patients.^[6]
Antimotility agents should be avoided. They have the potential to worsen symptoms and may predispose to toxic dilation of the colon.
For fluid and electrolyte supplementation, oral rehydration solutions are preferable.

Consultations

Consult a gastroenterologist or an infectious diseases expert if the Shigella infection is prolonged or if the patient experiences a severe course of shigellosis that is unresponsive to antibiotics.^[7]

Diet

Clear liquids followed by a low residue, lactose-free diet are recommended until symptoms of shigellosis resolve.

Proceed to Medication

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Joyann A Kroser, MD Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Hepatology, Drexel University College of Medicine

Joyann A Kroser, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Pennsylvania Medical Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and Philadelphia County Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Ronnie Fass, MD, FACP, FACG Chief of Gastroenterology, Head of Neuroenteric Clinical Research Group, Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System; Professor of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Arizona School of Medicine

Ronnie Fass, MD, FACP, FACG is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Gastroenterological Association, American Motility Society, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and Israel Medical Association

Disclosure: Takeda Pharmaceuticals Grant/research funds Conducting research; Takeda Pharmaceuticals Consulting fee Consulting; Takeda Pharmaceuticals Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Vecta Consulting fee Consulting; XenoPort Consulting fee Consulting; Eisai Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Conducting research; AstraZeneca Grant/research funds Conducting research; Eisai Consulting fee Consulting

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Aaron Glatt, MD Professor of Clinical Medicine, New York Medical College; President and CEO, Former Chief Medical Officer, Departments of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, St Joseph Hospital (formerly New Island Hospital)

Aaron Glatt, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physician Executives, American College of Physicians, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Thoracic Society, American Venereal Disease Association, Infectious Diseases Society of America, International AIDS Society, and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, and Society of General Internal Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Julian Katz, MD Clinical Professor of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine

Julian Katz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, American Trauma Society, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Sivapalasingam S, Nelson JM, Joyce K, et al. High prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among Shigella isolates in the United States tested by the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System from 1999 to 2002. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. Jan 2006;50(1):49-54. [Medline].
Vinh H, Anh VT, Anh ND, Campbell JI, Hoang NV, Nga TV, et al. A multi-center randomized trial to assess the efficacy of gatifloxacin versus ciprofloxacin for the treatment of shigellosis in Vietnamese children. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. Aug 2011;5(8):e1264. [Medline]. [Full Text].
Policar M. Shigellosis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. 2005:752-754.
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