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Shigellosis
Shigellosis Infection with the bacterium Shigella, usually causing a high fever, acute diarrhea, and dehydration. See also gastroenteritis.
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Infection
Anything that invades the body and reproduces. Infections can be bacteria, protozoa, fungi, or viruses. Bacteria and fungi are one celled creatures that cause many infections including strep throat, bladder infections, and some lung infections. Fungi cause “athlete’s foot” and thrush, an infection in the mouth. Protozoa are small organisms with many cells that can cause infections in the guts or in the lungs. Most healthy people do not get protozoal infections, but people with suppressed immune systems can. Viruses are not really organisms; they are tiny particles that can live only inside another cell. They reproduce by taking over a cell and causing that cell to make more virus particles, rather than doing what the cell is supposed to do. Viruses cause most colds and flu cases.
Bacterium
The singular of bacteria.
Fever
When body temperature rises above its normal level - defined as 98.6 degrees F, though it varies by individual and time of day. A fever is the sign of an immune system at work and usually indicates an infection.
Acute
1. Of short course. 2. Severe, but of a short duration. Not chronic.
Diarrhea
Passage of excessively liquid or excessively frequent stools.
Dehydration
Loss of fluids from the body, often caused by diarrhea. May result in loss of important salts and minerals.
Gastroenteritis
An infection or irritation of the stomach and intestines, which may be caused by bacteria or parasites from spoiled food or unclean water. Other causes include eating food that irritates the stomach lining and emotional upsets such as anger, fear, or stress. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping. See also infectious diarrhea and travelers' diarrhea.
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Secretin
A hormone made in the duodenum. Causes the stomach to make pepsin, the liver to make bile, and the pancreas to make a digestive juice.
Segmentation
The process by which muscles in the intestines move food and wastes through the body.
Sensors
A device, such as a photoelectric cell, that receives and responds to a signal or stimulus.
Septal defect
A hole in the wall of the heart.
Septum
The muscle wall that divides the heart chambers.
Shigellosis
Shock
Impaired body function due to blood loss or a disturbance in the circulatory system.
Short bowel syndrome
Problems related to absorbing nutrients after removal of part of the small intestine. Symptoms include diarrhea, weakness, and weight loss. Also called short gut syndrome.
Short gut syndrome
See short bowel syndrome.
Shunt
A connector to allow blood flow between two locations.
Shwachman's syndrome
A digestive and respiratory disorder of children. Certain digestive enzymes are missing and white blood cells are few. Symptoms may include diarrhea and short stature.
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