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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffShigella infection usually runs its course in five to seven days. Replacing lost fluids from diarrhea may be all the treatment you need, particularly if your general health is good and your shigella infection is mild.
Avoid drugs intended to treat diarrhea, such as loperamide (Imodium) and diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil), because they can make your condition worse.
Antibiotics
For severe shigella infection, antibiotics may shorten the duration of the illness. However, some shigella bacteria have become drug resistant. So it's better not to take antibiotics unless your shigella infection is severe. Antibiotics may also be necessary for infants, older adults and people who have HIV infection, as well as in situations where there's high risk of spreading the disease.
Fluid and salt replacement
For generally healthy adults, drinking water may be enough to counteract the dehydrating effects of diarrhea. Children may benefit from an oral rehydrating solution, such as Pedialyte, available in drugstores. Children and adults who are severely dehydrated need treatment in a hospital emergency room, where they can receive salts and fluids through a vein (intravenously), rather than by mouth. Intravenous hydration provides the body with water and essential nutrients much more quickly than oral solutions do.
- Goldberg MB. Shigellosis. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/184126838-3/954613481/1492/1159.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50335-9--cesec5_14340. Accessed Jan. 28, 2010.
- Shigellosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdcc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/shigellosis_gi.html. Accessed Jan. 28, 2010.
- Ashkenazi S, et al. Shigella species. In: Long SS, et al. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/184126838-3/954613481/1679/151.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06687-0..50150-8_2975. Accessed Jan. 28, 2010.
- Fort GG, et al. Shigellosis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/184126838-3/954613481/2088/602.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00028-9--s2235_12359. Accessed Jan. 28, 2010.
- Gianella RA. Invasive pathogens. In: Feldman M., et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/184126838-3/954613481/1389/778.html#. Accessed Jan. 28, 2010.
- Steckelberg JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 3, 2010.
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