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, older adults, 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 SHIGELLOSIS SPREAD?

  Infected persons carry the Shigellabacteria in their stool (poop) while they are sick and can spread the disease.  

  People can get shigellosis when putting something in their mouths or swallow something that has come in contact with poop from someone who is sick with shigellosis. Consuming even a very small amount of contaminated poop can cause someone to become ill.  

  People can get Shigella bacteria on their hands or mouth after:  

  • Touching objects or surfaces (like toys, door handles, changing tables) that have infected poop on them including using contaminated utensils or sharing personal items with an infected person. 

  • Consumption of food or liquids contaminated by the poop of someone sick with shigellosis. 

  • Swallowing water contaminated with Shigella; this includes lakes, pools, and water park play fountains. 

  • Exposure to poopduring sexual contact with a person who is sick or has recently been sick with shigellosis. 

• WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF SHIGELLOSIS?

  WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF SHIGELLOSIS? 

  Symptoms usually begin 1-2 days after exposure and last about a week.Symptoms can include: 

  • Diarrhea (can be bloody) 

  • Fever 

• HOW IS SHIGELLOSIS TREATED?

  People with mild shigellosis usually recover without treatment. It is important to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration. For more severe illness or if symptoms continue, 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 test results. 

• HOW CAN YOU PREVENT SHIGELLOSIS?

  • Wash hands with soap and water carefully and frequently, especially after using the bathroom or after changing diapers 

  • if clean, running water and soap are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Remember, hand sanitizers may not be as effective if hands are visibly dirty or greasy. 

  • 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 poop exposure during sex. 

   

• WHAT IS HEALTH DEPARTMENT DOING ABOUT SHIGELLOSIS?

  Shigellosis is a reportable communicable disease in Long Beach and in California in order for health departments to monitor and help control the spread of the disease. California state law requires that health departments to restrict the activities of persons with shigellosis in certain settings. This includes but is not limited to workers in day care settings, food-related businesses, and health care workers with direct patient contact. The health department will work with these individuals to ensure they do not resume activities until they have been cleared to return to work.  

  When outbreaks are identified, the Health Department will take steps and implement control measures to prevent ongoing infections. On average, about 70 cases of shigellosis are reported in Long Beach each year.  

• 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)

What You Need to Know About Shigella (PDF): English | Spanish | Tagalog | Khmer
Shigella Cleaning Protocol

Questions

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


Page updated: 7/31/25