Shigella in 2025.

Drug resistant shigella has recently been reported in the Brisbane region.

Shigella (shigellosis) is a common diarrhoeal disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella.

Gay, bi men (and any men who have sex with men) are at greater risk of getting shigella. People living with HIV can have more serious or prolonged shigellosis illness.

There have recently been higher than usual cases of shigella within the SE Queensland among gay, bi men and  men who have sex with men.

SYMPTOMS

  • Diarrhoea (sometimes bloody).
  • Fever.
  • Vomiting.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Tenesmus (an uncomfortable sensation of wanting to empty the bowels, when the bowels are empty).
  • Symptoms usually start 1 – 2 days after exposure, but may range from 12 hours to 1 week.

TRANSMISSION ISSUES FOR MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN

  • When faecal matter (poo) that is infected with Shigella comes in contact with your mouth.
  • Fisting.
  • Sharing sex toys.
  • Rimming (licking bum).
  • Anal & oral sex.

PREVENTION

  • Wash your hands well with soapy warm water after handling used condoms, sex toys & after having sex as well as after using the toilet.
  • Avoid touching your mouth during sex.
  • Use dental dams* for rimming (*a thin piece of latex that protects against direct mouth-to-genital or mouth-to-bum contact during oral sex & rimming). 
  • Don’t have sex until you are no longer infectious. This is usually one week after symptoms resolve.

TESTING

  • A doctor or health care provider can test your stool (poop) to determine of you are infected with shigella.

TREATMENT

  • If you have severe infection, you may require antibiotics. Please speak with your doctor
  • Drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration.
  • If you notice symptoms, avoid sexual contact until you have seen a doctor and a week has passed since you last had symptoms. If tests show you have drug-resistant Shigella, don’t have sex until at least 1 week after symptoms resolve and you have one stool sample confirming you no longer have Shigella infection.”
  • If you work in the health care, aged care or child care sector; or food preparation and handling sector, seek further information from your doctor.

Click for more shigella information

 

 

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