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Sexually transmitted diarrhea cases soaring in US - and its growing resistant to medicine
The Independent • • health
Key Points:
- Cases of Shigella, a highly contagious and often drug-resistant bacterial infection, are increasing across the U.S., prompting warnings from numerous doctors.
- Shigellosis can cause severe symptoms including bloody diarrhea, dehydration, seizures, and in rare cases, death, with drug-resistant strains particularly affecting children under 5 and now increasingly white men.
- Approximately 450,000 cases and 38 deaths occur annually in the U.S., with 242,000 involving drug-resistant strains that have limited treatment options, such as ceftriaxone and pivmecillinam.
- There is no approved vaccine yet, but a recent clinical trial showed promising protection in adults; prevention relies heavily on hygiene measures like thorough handwashing and avoiding contact with infected individuals.
- The disease spreads through contaminated food, water, person-to-person contact, and sexual contact involving the anus, placing men who have sex with men and homeless populations at higher risk.
