In recent months, public health officials have been seeing an increased number of cases of youngsters battling diarrhea caused by shigellosis, a highly contagious, bacterial infection.

About every five years, day-care centers and schools throughout the state report a rise in children sickened with shigellosis, said Dr. Marguerite A. Erme, an epidemiologist at the Akron Health Department.

The last time a lot of cases were reported statewide was during the 2001-2002 school year.

And like clockwork, Erme said, the bacteria is back, as many parents, teachers and day-care providers can attest.

''It is characteristic of this particular germ that we do see it cyclically,'' she said. '' . . . Since the fall, we started seeing an increasing number of cases of shigella throughout the whole county.''

Signs of shigellosis include diarrhea (often bloody), fever and stomach cramps starting one or two days after exposure to the bacterium, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Symptoms typically resolve in five to seven days, though young children and the elderly sometimes require hospitalization if they experience severe diarrhea.

A stool sample is required to confirm the presence of the shigella bacteria, Erme said. Severe cases can be treated with antibiotics, though that's not always necessary for milder cases.

People with jobs in child-care centers or food service are restricted from working until their symptoms resolve and they have two negative stool samples, Erme said.

The best defense is good hygiene, Erme said.

The bacteria is passed from one infected person to the next through contact with stool.

''What people need to do is make sure they wash their hands well, particularly after using the bathroom or changing diapers,'' Erme said.

NEOUCOM health fair

The Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy's chapter of the American Medical Student Association is offering free health screenings and information during ''The Body and Beyond'' health fair from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The free event will take place in the Ralph Regula Conference Center on the college's Rootstown campus, 4209 State Route 44.

Along with free health screenings, the fair also will offer a relaxation station, anatomy lab, expert presentations on health topics and special activities for children.

For more information or to pre-register, visit http://www.neoucom.edu/bodyandbeyond or call 800-686-2511.

Adoption help offered

Considering adopting a child?

Akron Children's Hospital is offering a 12-week Webcast called ''Adoption Academy'' to address the choices and questions facing people who are considering adoption.

The seminar will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday, beginning this week, at the William H. Considine Professional Building on the hospital's main campus in downtown Akron.

The Adoption Academy will feature three consecutive four-week tracks.

The registration fee is $20 per four-week track for the first person and $15 for each additional person. Free parking is available in the hospital's Bowery Street parking deck.

The program is being offered through a partnership among Akron Children's Hospital, the National Center for Adoption Law & Policy and Nationwide Children's Hospital (formerly Columbus Children's Hospital). The sessions are being broadcast live from Columbus to pediatric hospitals in Akron, Dayton and Toledo.

To register or for more information, contact the Akron Children's Hospital's Oak Adoptive Health Center at 330-543-3550 or visit https://www.akronchildrens.org/adoptivehealth.