Health & Human services

Shigella Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• WHAT IS SHIGELLOSIS?

  Shigellosis is a diarrheal illness caused by the bacteria Shigella. Shigellosis can be quite severe, especially in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

• WHO CAN GET SHIGELLA?

  Anyone can get Shigella, but those who are at the highest risk include:

  • People with limited access to washing facilities who live in crowded areas, such as persons experiencing homelessness
  • Men who have sex with men
  • Young children in child care settings
  • Travelers to developing countries

• HOW IS SHIGELLA SPREAD?

  Infected persons carry Shigella in their feces (poop) while they are sick and can spread the disease. Ingesting even a small amount of contaminated feces can cause someone to become ill. Ways that people become infected with Shigella include:

  • Unknown exposure to infected feces or objects that have infected feces on them (i.e. using contaminated utensils or sharing personal items with an infected person).
  • Consumption of food or liquids contaminated by an infected person; food items that have been sources of outbreaks have included vegetables that are usually eaten raw, raw oysters, and commercially prepared food products.
  • Swallowing untreated recreational water contaminated with Shigella; this includes lakes, pools, and water park play fountains.
  • Exposure to the feces of an infected person during sexual contact.

• WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF SHIGELLOSIS?

  Symptoms usually begin 1-2 days after exposure and can include:

  • Diarrhea (can be bloody)
  • Fever
  • Stomach pain  

• HOW IS SHIGELLA TREATED?

  People with mild shigellosis usually recover without treatment. It is important to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration. For more severe infections, a health care provider can prescribe an appropriate antibiotic to treat shigellosis. Antibiotic-resistant Shigella has become increasingly common; therefore, health care providers should make treatment decisions based on culture results.

• HOW CAN YOU PREVENT SHIGELLOSIS?

  • Wash hands with soap and water carefully and frequently, especially after using the bathroom or after changing diapers.
  • Always wash hands before preparing foods or beverages and eating.
  • Keep children with diarrhea out of child care settings.
  • Do not prepare foods for others if you have diarrhea.
  • Do not take part in recreational water activities (such as swimming) if you have diarrhea.
  • Carefully wash vegetables that will be eaten raw.
  • When traveling in developing countries, drink only treated or boiled water and eat only cooked hot foods or fruits you peel yourself.
  • Avoid fecal exposure during sex.

• WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT SHIGELLOSIS?

  California Department of Public Health:
  https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Shigellosis.aspx

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
  https://www.cdc.gov/shigella/

Resources (PDFs)

Shigella FAQ (Spanish)
Shigella Flyer
Shigella Cleaning Protocol

Questions

For questions contact the Epidemiology Department at (562) 570-4302