Shigella

Reducing your risk of catching dysentery

You can reduce your risk of getting dysentery with good hygiene.

You should:

wash your hands with soap and warm water after using the toilet and regularly throughout the day
wash your hands before handling, eating or cooking food
avoid sharing towels
wash the laundry of an infected person on the hottest setting possible

If the water is not sterile, boil it for several minutes or use chemical disinfectant or a reliable filter.

Don't clean your teeth with tap water.

Don't have ice in your drinks as it may be made from unclean water.

Avoid fresh fruit or vegetables that can't be peeled before eating.

Avoid food and drink sold by street vendors, except drinks in properly sealed cans or bottles.

You are infectious to other people while you are ill and have symptoms.

Take the following steps to avoid passing the illness to others:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after going to the toilet.
Stay away from work or school until you have been completely free from any symptoms for at least 48 hours.
Help young children to wash their hands properly.
Do not prepare food for others until you have been symptom free for at least 48 hours.
Do not go swimming until you have been symptom free for at least 48 hours.
Where possible, stay away from other people until your symptoms have stopped.
Wash all dirty clothes, bedding and towels on the hottest possible cycle of the washing machine.
Clean toilet seats, toilet bowls, flush handles, taps and sinks with detergent and hot waterafter use, followed by a household disinfectant.
Avoid sexual contact until you have been symptom free for at least 48 hours.

As shigella is easily passed on to other people, you may need to submit poo (stool) samples to be given the all clear to return to work, school, nursery or a childminder.

The type of shigella you have and whether or not you or others are in a risk group will influence how long you need to stay away.

Risk groups are people in certain occupationsincluding healthcare workers andpeople who handlefoodas well as people who need help with personal hygiene and very young children. Your environmental health officer will advise you about this.