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Stomach bug alert: Drug-resistant bacteria are spreading across US, CDC warns

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning to healthcare providers this week about an increase in “extensively drug-resistant” stomach bug that damages the intestines and produces inflammatory diarrhea.

Every year, approximately 450,000 people become infected with shigellosis. According to the CDC, 5% of all illnesses in 2022 will be extensively drug-resistant, or XDR, up from 0% in 2015.

Drug-Resistant Stomach Bug ‘Shigellosis’

When an illness does not react to routinely used medicines such as azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and others, it is deemed extensively drug-resistant.

Earlier CDC statistics showed that in 2017, over 24% of shigella bacteria sampled were resistant to the medication azithromycin, up from 10% the previous year. In addition, 10% were resistant to ciprofloxacin, up from 5% in 2016. In 2017, the CDC predicted that shigella strains resistant to azithromycin or ciprofloxacin caused 77,000 infections per year.

In this scenario, developing antibiotic resistance means that doctors may not have many — if any — suggestions to rely on when treating people with severe shigella infections.

Stools, physical touch between people, and sexual activity can all spread the infection. The CDC notes that this can happen if you eat food prepared by someone who has the infection or if you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your mouth. According to the CDC, all patients with suspected or confirmed shigellosis should:

  • While sick, stay home from school, health care, food service, or child-care occupations, or until the health department says it’s safe to return.
  • Stop having sex.
  • Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds.
  • If at all possible, avoid preparing food for others.
  • Swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, oceans, lakes, and rivers are all places to avoid.

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Shigellosis Symptoms

stomach-bug-alert-drug-resistant-bacteria-that-cause-stomach-bug-symptoms-are-spreading-across-the-united-states-cdc-warns
The CDC warns about an increase in “extensively drug-resistant” stomach bug that damages the intestines and produces inflammatory diarrhea.

Shigella symptoms are similar to those of other stomach infections. The following are the most prevalent symptoms, according to the CDC:

  • Diarrhea that is bloody and/or lasts more than three days.
  • Stomach ache.
  • Fever.
  • tenesmus is the sensation of needing to poop even when your bowels are empty.

Most people have symptoms a day or two after becoming infected and last around a week. Yet, some people may discover that their bowel habits do not return to normal for “several months,” according to the CDC.

According to the CDC, most shigella infections can be treated without the use of antibiotics. It is critical to stay hydrated by consuming enough of fluids.

Antibiotic treatment may be required in more severe cases or for people who are at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms. Little children, travelers to locations with inadequate sanitation, immunocompromised persons, men who have sex with males, and people experiencing homelessness are all at elevated risk for shigellosis, according to the CDC.

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