Shigellosis is a bacterial infection affecting the intestinal tract. It is a fairly common disease. Most cases are seen in the summer and early fall and occur as single cases or outbreaks.
Disease Facts
Anyone can get shigellosis, but it is recognized more often in young children. Those who may be at greater risk include children in day care centers, foreign travelers to certain countries, people living in group settings, and men who have sex with men.
Shigella germs are found in the intestinal tract of infected people who, in turn, may contaminate food or water. The Shigella germ is spread by eating or drinking contaminated food or water or by direct contact with an infected person. Surfaces can also become contaminated with the germ and may get on people’s hands. If proper handwashing does not take place, touching food or the mouth with contaminated hands may transfer the germ and cause infection.
People exposed to the Shigella germ may experience mild or severe diarrhea, often with fever and visible blood in the stool. Stomach pain is also common.
The symptoms may appear one to seven days after exposure, but usually within two or three days.
Most people may pass Shigella in their stool for up to 4 weeks. Certain antibiotics may shorten the carrier phase.
Since the germ is passed in the feces of an infected person, people with active diarrhea or those who are unable to control their bowel habits should stay home. Most infected people may return to work or school when their diarrhea ceases, provided that they carefully wash their hands after toilet visits. In childcare centers, children and staff should not be permitted to return to the facility for 24 hours or more after diarrhea has stopped. Food handlers must be excluded or restricted until two fecal specimens collected at least 24 hours apart are culture negative, with the first culture being collected at least 48 hours after the last dose of antibiotics, if given; or upon physician release. Healthcare workers should be restricted from patient contact until symptoms resolve.
Most people with shigellosis will recover on their own. Drink fluids to prevent dehydration. Antibiotics are occasionally used to treat severe cases or to shorten the carrier phase, which may be important for food handlers, children in day care, or people living in group settings.
Since germs are passed in feces, the single most important prevention activity is careful handwashing after using the toilet, before preparing or eating food, and after changing diapers. Individuals who are actively having symptoms should not prepare food for others.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Shigellosis Fact Sheet
If you or your child has a diarrheal illness, remember a stool sample is needed to determine what is causing diarrhea and who might be at risk for spread of the disease from the ill individual.
If Salmonella, *E. coli*, shigella, or campylobacteriosis is diagnosed, department staff may contact you about potential exposures such as food, farm animals, or other ill individuals.