There's a bacterial infection making the rounds in the Hub City. Shigellosis is the result of a battle of bacteria. Due to an increasing number of gastrointestinal illnesses, the Lubbock Health Department is trying to spread the word about this nasty germ. It's not uncommon for an outbreak this time of year, but the jump in numbers has the medical community concerned.
"There have been over a hundred cases since January in Lubbock and over a third of those have been since October 6th. So we've seen a distinct jump in the number of cases," said registered nurse, Judy Davis.
If you're infected, the symptoms can be miserable.
The shigella bacterium infects the large intestine which then causes mild to severe diarrhea. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramps and can last up to a week.
"Ten little microscopic germs of shigella can make you sick. So it doesn't take much to spread it. It spreads very easily between people," said Davis.
It's the germs ability to spread so quickly that's prompting Davis, with the Lubbock Health Department, to remind folks of the importance of one of the main prevention tools, soap and water.
"The reason hand washing is so important is because the germ is spread in peoples stool. So if hand washing is not done properly after toileting or diaper changing, it can spread to a lot of other kids and grownups as well," said Davis.
Davis said a large percentage of the cases in Lubbock County have been among young children in day care and elementary schools; a common problem they experience just about every year during the fall months when schools resume. If you think you've got the bug, it's easily treated.
"The first step is to go to your doctor right away, if you've had diarrhea more than a day, and have a stool culture done. Once he knows that it's shigella, he can give you the proper antibiotic. Within a few hours of starting that antibiotic, you'll start to feel much better," said Davis.
If left untreated most people will improve with time, but the germ is still in the body. This isn't good because they can still share the germ with others for up to four weeks. They could also relapse and start round two with the bacteria.
