7Medical Treatments for Shigellosis
Symptoms of shigellosis may improve with the use of many OTC drugs. For instance, you may take medications with bismuth subsalicylate to reduce the length of the infection and frequency of the stools. Nevertheless, this treatment is not suitable for pregnant women, children, or those who are allergic to aspirin. It is better to consult your healthcare provider before taking an OTC drug to treat diarrhea because it is a common symptom of many other conditions. Certain medications would even worsen the symptom. Avoid OTC anti-motility medications and those with atropine and diphenoxylate. They would reduce the ability of the body to get rid of bacteria.
In more serious cases, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to get rid of bacteria. These medications can help reduce the length of the infection. They are also helpful for the elderly, infants, or those with a compromise immune system. Nevertheless, some bacteria can resist drugs, making antibiotics not suitable for long-term treatment. [7]
