Shigellosis in Children: Care Instructions

Your Care Instructions

Shigellosis is a type of food poisoning. It's caused by infection with the Shigella bacteria. It can give your child diarrhea and stomach cramps. Your child may also vomit and have a fever. These symptoms usually last 5 to 7 days.

The bacteria is spread from stool, food, or contaminated water. Your child may get infected because the bacteria are on your child's fingers and your child then puts his or her fingers in the mouth. Or your child may eat food that was touched by someone who has the infection.

How can you care for your child at home?

• If the doctor prescribed antibiotics for your child, give them as directed. Do not stop using them just because your child feels better. Your child needs to take the full course of antibiotics.
• Give your child lots of fluids a little at a time. This is especially important when your child is vomiting or has diarrhea. Give your child sips of water or drinks such as Pedialyte or Infalyte. These drinks contain a mix of salt, sugar, and minerals. You can buy them at drugstores or grocery stores. Give these drinks as long as your child is throwing up or has diarrhea. Do not use them as the only source of liquids or food for more than 12 to 24 hours.
• Watch for and treat signs of dehydration, which means that the body has lost too much water. Your child's mouth may feel very dry. Your child may have sunken eyes with few tears when crying. Your child may lack energy and want to be held a lot. Your child may not urinate as often as usual.
• Do not give your child over-the-counter antidiarrhea or upset-stomach medicines without talking to your doctor first. Do not give Pepto-Bismol or other medicines that contain salicylates, a form of aspirin, or aspirin. Aspirin has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.
• Start to offer small amounts of food when your child feels like eating.

To help prevent shigellosis

• If your child with shigellosis wears diapers, be careful with dirty ones. Wash your hands and your child's hands after you change or throw away a diaper. It's also a good idea to try to keep the child in diapers away from other children.
• Wash your hands and your child's hands after bowel movements. If your home has more than one bathroom, have your child use one bathroom and ask others to use a different bathroom.
• Wash your and your child's hands before you eat.
• Keep your kitchen clean. Wash your hands, cutting boards, and countertops with hot, soapy water.