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SHIGELLA

What is it?

Shigellosis, also called bacillary dysentery, is caused by bacteria found in faeces (shit). Only a tiny amount needs to get into your mouth to pass it on, e.g. via your fingers. It’s can be passed on sexually, as well as by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Someone with shigella can be infectious for up to a month.


How do I get it?

Sex that involves contact with faeces is a risk, e.g. fucking; handling a condom used for fucking; fingering; fisting; rimming; scat (either playing with, eating or being smeared with shit).


Are there any obvious symptoms?

The main symptom is diarrhoea, which often contains blood and mucus. You may also get stomach cramps and fever. These symptoms usual appear four days after becoming infected and can last up to a week.


Testing for it

If you suspect you have shigella, visit your GP or a sexual health clinic. Tell them that you may have picked up a stomach infection from sex, and that it may possibly be shigella. That way they will know which tests to give you. If you do test positive for shigella, wait 48 hours after the symptoms stop before going back to work. If your work involves handling food or contact with patients, you should not go back to work until tests have ruled out shigella. If you test positive for shigella you cannot go back to work until a health professional says so.


Treating it

The infection can be cured with antibiotics. Drinking plenty of fluids will stop you becoming dehydrated.


You can still be infectious for up to a month. Washing hands with soap and warm water after using the toilet and before touching food is strongly advised. You should also frequently clean taps, as well as toilet doors, handles and seats, with hot soapy water.


You should not:

  1. prepare food for others while you’re ill or until a week after the symptoms stop;

  2. have sex until a week after the symptoms stop;

  3. share towels with others;

  4. use jacuzzis, hot tubs or spas.


Prevention

There are some things you can do to help stop the spread of shigella.

  1. Thorought wash your hands in warm soapy water after sex, especially if you’re rimming, finger/fisting someone’s arse or handling used condoms or sex toys. Be sure to do under your fingernails.

  2. Wear a condom for fucking.

  3. Use latex gloves for fingering or fisting.

  4. If you are rimming use some sort of barrier, e.g. cut a condom up into a square or use some non-microwaveable clingfilm.

  5. If you are being rimmed then make sure you’ve already washed your arse thoroughly with warm soapy water.

  6. Don’t share sex toys or douching equipment.

  7. Skin on the buttocks, around the backside or groin may carry the bacteria, so avoid licking these areas.

  8. Have a shower after sex. It’s even better than washing.


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