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Shigellosis Spread Increases In Summer

ShigellaBoydii

Image By CDC [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons http://bit.ly/1iuq5UC

Indiana has reported  an outbreak in the number of cases of Shigellosis, a bacterial infectious illness characterized with fever, diarrhea and stomach cramps.  The disease spreads from the infected stools during the time of illness and up to two weeks afterwards.  The transmission can be prevented with frequent and proper hand washing techniques.  The disease has often been shown to spread through contaminated food prepared by sick food service workers.

The cases in Indiana are believed to be spread through infected pool water.   Parents should avoid allowing infants in diapers in the pool who exhibit symptoms of the illness.  Health authorities stress the requirement that all diapers be changed before entering the pool.

While toddlers are the most prone to acquire this illness, it is common and widespread in communities with poor hygiene.  Like most illness, fever in the infected is a primary indicator of sickness.  Child day care workers and food service handling personnel should be especially attentive to proper hand washing techniques to avoid contaminating the entire community.  Proper fever screening using a device like WelloStation will help to isolate infected people and prevent the spread any further.

While Shigellosis is not a pleasant sickness to endure, it rarely results in hospitalization.  Proper fever screening and hand washing techniques will keep Shigellosis from becoming wide spread and allow everyone to enjoy their summer.


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