Shigellosis

The symptoms usually begin 1 to 3 days following infection with the bacteria, but the onset may occur in as few as 12 hours to 96 hours. The symptoms include diarrhea (often bloody), abdominal pain, stomach cramps, and fever. Sometimes people infected with Shigella have no symptoms at all, but can still pass the bacteria to others. The illness usually lasts on average 4–7 days.

Shigella is found in the stool (feces) of infected people, in food or water contaminated by an infected person, and on surfaces that have been touched by infected people.  It often occurs in toddlers who are not fully toilet-trained. Family members and playmates of children infected with Shigella are at high risk of becoming infected. Shigella can spread easily in environments such as day care facilities.

People become infected with Shigella by:

• Eating food or drinking liquids contaminated by an infected person.
• Touching contaminated surfaces or objects and then touching their mouth or putting a contaminated object into their mouth.
• Swallowing recreational water contaminated with Shigella (recreational water includes streams, rivers, springs, ponds, swimming pools, hot tubs, Jacuzzis, and water park fountains).
• Not washing hands after using the bathroom or changing diapers and then eating foods.
• Engaging in certain sexual practices that may permit fecal-oral transmission.

Other bacteria and viruses can cause similar illness. Your doctor can order tests to detect Shigella bacteria in stool.

Fluid and electrolyte replacement is most important. Most persons with shigellosis will recover without treatment. However, a doctor can prescribe medicine to treat severe cases of the disease. In general, antidiarrheal medications are not recommended because they may prolong the illness.