What Is Shigella?

SHIGELLA CASES REPORTED IN SHASTA COUNTY
See March 11th, 2024 Press Release Here

What Is Shigella?

Shigella bacteria cause an infection called shigellosis. Shigella can spread easily from one person to another—and it only takes a small amount of Shigella to cause illness.

Shigella Symptoms

People with Shigella infection (Shigellosis) can experience one or more of the following:

• Diarrhea that can be bloody or prolonged (lasting more than 3 days)
• Fever
• Stomach pain
• Feeling the need to pass stool (poop) even when the bowels are empty.

Symptoms usually start 1–2 days after infection and last 7 days. In some cases, bowel habits (frequency and consistency of stool) do not return to normal for several months.

How is Shigella transmitted?

You can get infected by swallowing Shigella. Some ways Shigella can get into your mouth are:

• Getting Shigella on your hands and touching your mouth. Shigella can get on your hands by:

  • Touching surfaces, such as toys, bathroom fixtures, changing tables, and diaper pails, contaminated with Shigella bacteria from someone with an infection.

  • Changing the diaper of a child with a Shigella infection.

  • Taking care of a person with an infection, including cleaning up after the person uses the toilet.

• Eating food prepared by someone with a Shigella infection.

• Swallowing water, you swim or play in, such as lake or creek water, or improperly treated swimming pool water.

• Swallowing contaminated drinking water, such as water from a well that’s been contaminated with sewage or flood water.

• Exposure to poop during sexual contact with someone with a Shigella infection or who has recently recovered from a Shigella infection.

Who is most likely to get Shigella infection?

• Children younger than 5 years old are the most likely to get shigellosis, but people of all ages can get the disease.

  • Many outbreaks occur in early care and education settings and schools. Infection commonly spreads from young children to their family members and other people in their communities because these bacteria spread easily.

• Travelers to places where water and food may be unsafe, and sanitation is poor are more likely to get a Shigella infection. They are also more likely to become sick with types of Shigella that are more difficult to treat. Travelers may be exposed to the bacteria through contaminated food, water (both drinking and recreational water), surfaces, and even other people. Travelers can protect themselves by choosing safe food and drink options and washing hands with soap often.

• Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men* are among groups at high risk for Shigella infection. Shigella can pass from stool or soiled fingers of one person to the mouth of another person, including during sexual activity.

• People who are experiencing homelessness are at high risk for Shigella infection when there is shigellosis spread in the community. They may face challenges in their living situations that increase the risk for disease transmission, which can result in outbreaks.

• People who have weakened immune systems because of illnesses or conditions (such as HIV) or medical treatment (such as chemotherapy) can get a more serious illness. A severe Shigella infection can spread into the blood, which can be life-threatening.

^*The term “men who have sex with men” is used in Center for Disease Control surveillance systems to indicate men who engage in sexual behavior that may spread Shigella; it does not indicate how people identify their sexuality.

How to avoid getting Shigella infection?

You can reduce your chance of getting infected by following these tips:

• Carefully wash your hands with soap and water during key times:

  • Before any sexual activity.

  • Before preparing food or eating.

  • After going to the bathroom, changing a diaper, or cleaning up after someone who went to the bathroom.

• Take care when changing diapers.

  • As soon as you change a diaper, throw it away in a covered, lined garbage can.

  • Clean up any leaks or spills from the diaper right away.

  • Wash your hands and the child’s hands with soap and water right away.

• Avoid swallowing water from ponds, lakes, creeks, or swimming pools.

• When traveling internationally, follow safe food and water habits and wash hands often with soap and water.

• If you or your partner has been diagnosed with shigella, do not have sex. To reduce the chance of Shigella spreading, wait at least two weeks after diarrhea ends to have sex.

How to help prevent the spread of Shigella infection to others when you are sick?

• Wash hands often, especially:

  • Before eating or preparing food.

  • After using the bathroom or changing diapers.

• Do NOT prepare food if you are sick or share food with anyone.

• Do NOT swim.

• Do NOT have sex for at least two weeks after you no longer have diarrhea.

• Stay home from school or from healthcare, food service, or childcare jobs while sick or until your health department says it’s safe to return.

More Shigella Resources

• Shigella – Shigellosis | CDC

• Shigellosis (ca.gov)

• Do You Have Diarrhea? - Shigella Fact Sheet

• Does Your Child Have Diarrhea? - Shigella Fact Sheet

Updated March 11, 2024