The bacteria Shigella can cause the infection shigellosis.
Symptoms usually start 1–2 days after infection and include:
- Diarrhea that can be bloody or last more than 3 days.
- Fever.
- Stomach pain.
- Feeling like you need to poop even when your bowels are empty.
People usually get better in 5–7 days.
You may get very sick if you have a weakened immune system, like from living with HIV or medical treatments, like chemotherapy. Tell your healthcare provider if you’re not getting better or have severe symptoms.
Shigella spreads easily.
Just a few Shigella bacteria can make you sick. It usually spreads from an infected person’s poop, through:
- Eating food touched by a person with unwashed hands.
- Touching a surface with bacteria on it, then touching your mouth.
- Swallowing water with bacteria in it, like in an untreated pool, children’s water table or splash pad.
- Drinking water from a well contaminated by sewage or floodwater.
- Having sex.
A person with shigellosis can spread it while they are sick and up to 2 weeks after.
Kids younger than 5 years and people living unhoused are at high risk of shigellosis.
You can stop the spread.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water:
- After using the bathroom.
- Before preparing food.
- After changing diapers.
- Help young children wash their hands well.
- Dispose of diapers properly.
If you have shigellosis
While you have diarrhea:
- Don’t prepare food for anyone else.
If you work or volunteer in these jobs, you can’t work until the Health Department clears you to return:
- Food service.
- Childcare.
- Patient care.
Wait until 2 weeks after your diarrhea ends to:
- Swim in a public pool.
- Have sex.
Resources
- Shigellosis, Washington State Department of Health (DOH).
- Shigella, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).