Shigella
What are the symptoms of a Shigella infection?
Symptoms of a Shigella infection most often include:
- Diarrhea that can be bloody or prolonged (lasting more than 3 days).
- Fever.
- Stomach pain.
- Feeling the need to poop even after going to the bathroom.
Symptoms usually start 1–2 days after a person gets infected and can last a few days to over a month. Sometimes frequent pooping does not return to normal for several months.
Who is at risk for Shigella infection?
Where are you going?
Some groups of people are more likely to get sick, including:
- International travelers to places where water and food might be unsafe, and sanitation is poor.
- Children younger than 5 years.
- Sexually active people, including gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men* are at risk of infection.
- People whose immune systems are weakened because of a medical condition (such as HIV infection) or treatment (such as chemotherapy) are more likely to get a serious or life threating Shigella infection.
How do travelers get infected with Shigella?
Shigella germs spread easily. Even swallowing a small amount of the germ can cause illness. You can get infected in several ways, including:
- Getting Shigella germs on your hands and then touching your mouth. This can happen when even a tiny amount of poop (that you cannot see) from a person with Shigella infection gets on your hands. This can happen while changing diapers or touching a contaminated surface.
- Eating food prepared by someone who has a current or recent Shigella infection.
- Swallowing recreational or drinking water that has been contaminated with Shigella.
- Having sexual contact or sharing sex toys with someone with a current or recent Shigella infection.
People with Shigella infection can spread germs to others for several weeks after their diarrhea ends. If you, your partner, or a family member has or recently had Shigella, learn ways to prevent spreading to others.
What should I do if I have diarrhea while traveling?
Travelers’ diarrhea may be caused by Shigella or many other harmful germs.
If you have diarrhea,
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Consider taking an over-the-counter medicine, such as loperamide, to decrease how much and how often you need to use the bathroom.
See a doctor if you have severe symptoms, including:
- Bloody diarrhea.
- High fever (temperature over 102°F, measured in your mouth).
- Vomiting so often that you cannot keep liquids down.
- Signs of dehydration, which include not urinating (peeing) much, a dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up.
- Diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days.
If you need medical care abroad, see information about getting healthcare during travel.
How are Shigella infections treated?
Most people recover from Shigella infection without antibiotics.
However, if your healthcare provider prescribes an antibiotic, take it exactly as directed and tell your healthcare provider if you do not feel better within a few days. Your healthcare provider may order additional tests to see whether your infection is resistant to antibiotics used to treat it.
Some Shigella infections can be severe and hard to treat if the bacteria is resistant to antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance means the germs are not stopped by the medication and can continue to make people sick. Antibiotic resistant infections can be severe, harder to treat, cost more, and last longer.
What can travelers do to protect themselves?
Reduce your chance of getting an infection by taking these steps during travel:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands.
- Stick to safe eating and drinking habits.
- Do not swallow water from ponds, lakes, rivers, or untreated swimming pools.
- If you or your partner has been diagnosed with a Shigella infection, wait at least two weeks after diarrhea ends to have sex to reduce the chance of Shigella spreading.
After Travel
If you traveled and feel sick, particularly if you have a fever, talk to a healthcare provider and tell them about your travel.
If you need medical care abroad, see Getting Health Care During Travel.
* The term “men who have sex with men” is used in CDC surveillance systems because it indicates men who engage in behaviors that may transmit Shigella infection, rather than how someone identifies their sexuality.