Fast Five Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Common Conditions Associated With Diarrhea?

Jamie Shalkow, MD; Felipe Sarlat

Disclosures

August 07, 2018

General supportive care of patients with shigellosis includes:

Infection with Shigella is normally self-limited. The average duration of gastrointestinal symptoms of untreated shigellosis is 7 days
Antibiotic treatment is indicated in some patients with severe cases. Note that antibiotic-resistant Shigella species have emerged, thus obtaining susceptibility testing and monitoring local shigellosis outbreaks is crucial
Narcotic-related antidiarrheals should be avoided
High fever in children should be treated
Antimotility agents should be avoided, as 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
Clear liquids followed by a low-residue, lactose-free diet are recommended until symptoms of shigellosis resolve
Treatment should be changed in the third day of treatment if symptoms do not improve.

For more on treatment of shigellosis, read here.

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Cite this: Jamie Shalkow, Felipe Sarlat. Fast Five Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Common Conditions Associated With Diarrhea? - Medscape - Aug 07, 2018.

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