Shigella and Salmonella are two types of bacteria that cause abdominal distress. While many of the symptoms are the same, many differences exist in the method of contamination, treatment and duration. Laboratory tests will confirm the presence of the Shigella or Salmonella bacterium, pus and blood in a stool sample.
Bacteria Origin and Symptoms
Shigella is a genus of bacteria that causes shigellosis, an infectious disease with symptoms that include rectal pain, fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. There are several kinds of Shigella bacteria, with the Group D Shigella accounting for over two-thirds of the shigellosis in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Salmonella is bacteria that cause salmonelloses, an infection with symptoms of diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. The most common types found in the United States are Salmonella serotype Typhimurium and Salmonella serotype Enteritidis.
Source of Contamination
The source of contamination for Shigella is direct contact with infected feces. Transfer of the bacteria occurs with poor hand washing following bathroom use and direct contact with food or drink.
The source of contamination for Salmonella includes raw meat, poultry, seafood, raw eggs, fruits and vegetables. Contamination occurs during butchering and processing of food products when contaminated people fail to use good hand-washing techniques.
Incubation
Incubation time for Shigella is between one and seven days following exposure, with symptoms lasting from two to seven days.
Incubation time for Salmonella is from 12 to 72 hours after exposure, reports the World Health Organization. Recovery time averages between four and seven days.
Treatment and Recovery
Shigella treatment may include antibiotics such as ampicillin, ceftriaxone or ciprofloxacin to shorten the duration of the illness. Recovery from diarrhea is usually complete, but bowel habits may take several months to return to normal.
Treatment for Salmonella infection includes replacing fluids lost through diarrhea and antibiotics to prevent an infection by the bacteria. With treatment, full recovery is expected.
Occurrences
Shigella causes about 14,000 cases of shigellosis every year in the United States, reports the CDC. The disease most often affects children between the ages of 2 and 4. Developing countries experience a much higher rate of illnesses.
The yearly average for Salmonella in the United States is approximately 40,000 cases. People most likely to develop serious infections include the young, elderly and those with compromised immune systems, according to the CDC.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: What Is Shigella?
- MayoClinic.com: What Is the Source of Shigella?
- MedlinePlus: How Long Does It Take Shigella To Develop?
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Treatment for Shigella
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: How Common Is Shigella?
