Terrence Higgins Trust
Surveillance by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected a rise in cases of extremely antibiotic-resistant Shigella sonnei infections, mainly in gay and bisexual men (GBM). Shigella are bacteria that cause intestinal infection resulting in symptoms ranging from mild to severe (including diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal pain). In most cases symptoms subside within a week, but some individuals need hospitalisation and require intravenous antibiotic treatment.
Transmission occurs via the faecal-oral route through direct contact with an infected person, or exposure to contaminated surfaces, food or water. In the UK cases are increasingly via sexual transmission (direct oral-anal contact, oral sex after anal sex, or play including fingering or use of sex toys).
HIV Prevention England is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care and coordinated by Terrence Higgins Trust. Phone 020 7812 1600. Email hpe@tht.org.uk.
Published: Apr 13, 2022
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