{"id":5651,"date":"2026-10-12T10:09:50","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T14:09:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/?p=5651"},"modified":"2026-10-12T10:09:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T14:09:53","slug":"shigella-infection-symptoms-causes-treatment-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/shigella-infection-symptoms-causes-treatment-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"Shigella Infection: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is Shigella Infection?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Shigella infection (shigellosis) is a bacterial illness of the intestines.<\/strong> It causes diarrhea, which is often bloody, plus fever and stomach cramps. The germs spread through tiny traces of stool on hands, food, water, and during sex. Most people recover in 5 to 7 days with fluids and rest, but some need antibiotics.<sup><a href=\"#ref1\">[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In this guide, you will learn:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The symptoms that mean you should see a doctor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What helps, what to avoid, and when antibiotics matter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How to stop the germs from spreading to your family and partners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What the new CDC data on drug-resistant Shigella means for you<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-is-shigella\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is Shigella?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shigella is a group of bacteria that infect the lining of the large intestine. The illness they cause is called <strong>shigellosis<\/strong>, and doctors sometimes call the severe, bloody form <strong>bacillary dysentery<\/strong>.<sup><a href=\"#ref4\">[4]<\/a><\/sup> The CDC estimates that Shigella causes about 450,000 infections in the United States every year.<sup><a href=\"#ref1\">[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These germs are tough, and they spread with very little effort. Swallowing as few as 10 organisms can make you sick.<sup><a href=\"#ref5\">[5]<\/a><\/sup> For comparison, many other foodborne bacteria need a far larger dose. That tiny threshold explains why Shigella tears through daycares, camps, and households so quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Four Types (Species) of Shigella<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Species<\/th><th>What to know<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><em>Shigella sonnei<\/em><\/td><td>The most common type in the United States.<sup><a href=\"#ref1\">[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Shigella flexneri<\/em><\/td><td>Common worldwide. Studies link it to more severe illness, including dysentery and hospital stays.<sup><a href=\"#ref5\">[5]<\/a><\/sup><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Shigella boydii<\/em><\/td><td>Rare in the U.S. but still important in areas with limited resources.<sup><a href=\"#ref1\">[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Shigella dysenteriae<\/em><\/td><td>Rare in the U.S. Type 1 can be deadly.<sup><a href=\"#ref1\">[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"ten-facts\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">10 Key Facts About Shigella Infection<\/h2>\n\n\n<ol>\n<li><strong>A tiny dose is enough.<\/strong> Ten germs can start an infection.<sup><a href=\"#ref5\">[5]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<li><strong>It is common.<\/strong> About 450,000 Americans get shigellosis each year.<sup><a href=\"#ref1\">[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<li><strong>It strikes fast.<\/strong> Symptoms usually begin 1 to 2 days after exposure, though some people wait up to a week.<sup><a href=\"#ref1\">[1]<\/a><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<li><strong>Most people heal on their own.<\/strong> Recovery typically takes 5 to 7 days.<sup><a href=\"#ref2\">[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<li><strong>You can spread it without feeling sick.<\/strong> Some infected people have no symptoms but still carry the germs.<sup><a href=\"#ref4\">[4]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<li><strong>You stay contagious after you feel better.<\/strong> The germs can pass in stool for up to a few weeks.<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<li><strong>Anti-diarrhea pills can backfire.<\/strong> The CDC warns people with bloody diarrhea not to take loperamide or diphenoxylate-atropine.<sup><a href=\"#ref2\">[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<li><strong>Young children carry the biggest burden.<\/strong> Worldwide, shigellosis caused about 210,000 deaths in 2016, including roughly 63,700 in children under 5.<sup><a href=\"#ref6\">[6]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<li><strong>Drug resistance is rising.<\/strong> In U.S. surveillance, extensively drug-resistant strains went from 0% of isolates (2011&ndash;2015) to 8.5% in 2023.<sup><a href=\"#ref5\">[5]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<li><strong>Hand washing works.<\/strong> Soap, water, and 20 seconds of scrubbing remain your best defense.<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"symptoms\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Symptoms of Shigella Infection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shigella symptoms hit the gut hard. The classic pattern is diarrhea plus fever plus cramping, and the diarrhea may contain blood or mucus.<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup> Common symptoms include:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Diarrhea<\/strong> that can turn bloody or last longer than 3 days<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fever<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stomach pain and cramps<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tenesmus:<\/strong> the feeling that you must pass stool even when your bowels are empty<sup><a href=\"#ref1\">[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nausea or vomiting<\/strong><sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shigella Incubation Period and Timeline<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Stage<\/th><th>What usually happens<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Exposure<\/strong><\/td><td>You swallow the bacteria from contaminated hands, food, water, or a sexual partner.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Days 1\u20132<\/strong><\/td><td>Symptoms start. A few people take up to a week to get sick.<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Days 3\u20137<\/strong><\/td><td>Diarrhea, fever, and cramps peak, then ease. Symptoms tend to last up to 7 days.<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Weeks 1\u20134<\/strong><\/td><td>You feel better, but germs may still pass in stool for up to a few weeks.<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Weeks to months<\/strong><\/td><td>Bowel habits may take weeks or even months to return to normal.<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><a href=\"#ref4\">[4]<\/a><\/sup><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Signs of Dehydration to Watch For<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dehydration is the most common danger of any diarrheal illness, and it can sneak up on young children quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Adults<\/th><th>Babies and children<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Very little or no urine<br>Very dry mouth and throat<br>Dizziness when you stand<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/td><td>No tears when crying<br>Sunken eyes<br>Dry diapers<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"see-a-doctor\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to See a Doctor<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><strong>Call a doctor or seek urgent care if you or your child has:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bloody diarrhea<\/li>\n<li>Diarrhea lasting more than 3 days<\/li>\n<li>A fever of 102&deg;F (39&deg;C) or higher with diarrhea<\/li>\n<li>Severe stomach cramps or belly tenderness<\/li>\n<li>Repeated vomiting that keeps you from holding down liquids<\/li>\n<li>Signs of dehydration, such as little or no urine or dizziness<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Call right away<\/strong> if a child has a seizure. Also call at the first symptom if you have a weakened immune system, for example from HIV or chemotherapy, because the illness can last longer and hit harder.<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><a href=\"#ref2\">[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"causes\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Causes: How Shigella Spreads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shigella lives in stool. Anything that touches stool from an infected person can carry the germs, and you get sick when you swallow them. The main routes are:<sup><a href=\"#ref1\">[1]<\/a><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hand-to-mouth contact.<\/strong> This happens after changing a diaper, caring for a sick person, or touching a contaminated toy, doorknob, or changing table.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Contaminated food.<\/strong> An infected person who prepares food without washing up can pass the germs to everyone who eats. Produce grown in or washed with sewage-tainted water can also carry them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Contaminated water.<\/strong> Swallowing water from lakes, rivers, ponds, or poorly maintained pools can cause infection.<sup><a href=\"#ref4\">[4]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sexual contact.<\/strong> Any sexual activity that involves stool exposure, including oral-anal contact, can spread Shigella.<sup><a href=\"#ref1\">[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Outbreaks cluster in child care centers, schools, public pools, water parks, and nursing homes, where people share space and surfaces.<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"risk-factors\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who Is at Higher Risk?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Children under 5.<\/strong> They are the group most likely to get shigellosis, although people of every age can catch it.<sup><a href=\"#ref1\">[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Travelers<\/strong> to places with unsafe water, limited sanitation, or poor food handling. Travelers also face a higher chance of strains that are harder to treat.<sup><a href=\"#ref1\">[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.<\/strong> Rates run higher in this group, but the risk exists for anyone with sexual activity that involves stool exposure.<sup><a href=\"#ref1\">[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>People experiencing homelessness,<\/strong> who often have limited access to clean water and toilets.<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>People with weakened immune systems,<\/strong> who face a higher chance of severe illness.<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"complications\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Complications of Shigellosis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most cases clear up without lasting problems. Still, doctors watch for these complications, especially in babies, older adults, and people with weak immune systems:<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Complication<\/th><th>What it means<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Dehydration<\/strong><\/td><td>Constant diarrhea drains fluids. Severe cases can lead to shock and death.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Seizures<\/strong><\/td><td>Some children have seizures, most often with high fevers.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Rectal prolapse<\/strong><\/td><td>Part of the lower large intestine slips outside the anus. It is more common in undernourished children.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Hemolytic uremic syndrome<\/strong><\/td><td>A rare blood-vessel problem that can cause kidney failure.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Toxic megacolon<\/strong><\/td><td>A rare, dangerous swelling of the colon that needs emergency care.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Reactive arthritis<\/strong><\/td><td>Joint pain and swelling that can appear weeks later, sometimes with painful urination and eye irritation.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Bloodstream infection<\/strong><\/td><td>Rarely, the bacteria enter the blood. This is more likely in young children and in adults with weak immune systems.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSerious dehydration can lead to shock and death.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>Mayo Clinic Staff, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/shigella\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20377529\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shigella infection: Symptoms and causes<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"diagnosis\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Doctors Diagnose Shigellosis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A doctor may suspect Shigella from your symptoms alone, but a <strong>stool test<\/strong> confirms it.<sup><a href=\"#ref4\">[4]<\/a><\/sup> The lab can also check which antibiotics the bacteria resist. That step matters more every year, because some strains no longer respond to common drugs.<sup><a href=\"#ref2\">[2]<\/a><\/sup> Tell your doctor about recent travel, daycare exposure, sexual contacts, and any weakened immune system. Those details guide testing and treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"treatment\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shigella Treatment: What Actually Helps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Replace Fluids First<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fluids are the foundation of care. People with mild shigellosis may need nothing more than fluids and rest.<sup><a href=\"#ref2\">[2]<\/a><\/sup> Oral rehydration solution (ORS), a precise mix of clean water, sugar, and salt available in pharmacies, replaces what diarrhea drains away. WHO and UNICEF back ORS as a core treatment for diarrhea, and they also recommend zinc for children for 10 to 14 days. Ask your child\u2019s doctor for the right zinc dose.<sup><a href=\"#ref7\">[7]<\/a><\/sup> Keep feeding children, and keep breastfeeding infants, while they recover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Know What to Avoid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Do<\/th><th>Don\u2019t<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Sip ORS or other fluids often<\/td><td>Take loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate-atropine (Lomotil) if your diarrhea is bloody<sup><a href=\"#ref2\">[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Rest and eat bland foods as you feel able<\/td><td>Buy or borrow antibiotics without a prescription<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Wash your hands after every bathroom trip<\/td><td>Prepare food for others while you are sick<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ask a doctor before using bismuth subsalicylate (such as Pepto-Bismol), which the CDC says may help adults<sup><a href=\"#ref2\">[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/td><td>Give bismuth subsalicylate to a child or teen without a doctor\u2019s approval, since it contains a salicylate<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Antibiotics: When Doctors Prescribe Them<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most people recover without antibiotics in 5 to 7 days.<sup><a href=\"#ref2\">[2]<\/a><\/sup> Doctors usually reserve antibiotics for severe illness, for people with weak immune systems, and for high-risk settings where the infection spreads easily.<sup><a href=\"#ref5\">[5]<\/a><\/sup> Ciprofloxacin and azithromycin are two recommended oral options, but the right choice depends on lab results.<sup><a href=\"#ref2\">[2]<\/a><\/sup> If you start an antibiotic and do not improve within a couple of days, tell your doctor. Your bacteria may resist that drug.<sup><a href=\"#ref2\">[2]<\/a><\/sup> When you do get a prescription, finish every pill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAntibiotics can shorten the time you have fever and diarrhea by about 2 days.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>CDC, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/shigella\/treatment\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Treatment of Shigella Infection<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n<p><strong>Living in India or another region where antibiotics are sold over the counter?<\/strong> Please do not self-medicate for bloody diarrhea. Taking the wrong or incomplete course helps resistant bacteria survive and spread. Use ORS right away and see a doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"resistant-shigella\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Drug-Resistant Shigella: What the Latest CDC Data Shows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In April 2026, CDC scientists reported a worrying trend. They studied 16,788 U.S. Shigella samples collected from 2011 to October 2023. Of those, 510 (3.0%) were <strong>extensively drug-resistant (XDR)<\/strong>, meaning the bacteria resisted ampicillin, azithromycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. No FDA-approved oral antibiotic exists for these infections.<sup><a href=\"#ref5\">[5]<\/a><\/sup> News outlets picked up the findings in October 2026.<sup><a href=\"#ref11\">[11]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">XDR Shigella in the United States (CDC data)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>CDC data measure<\/th><th>Percentage<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>XDR share of isolates, 2011\u20132015<\/td><td>0%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>XDR share of isolates, 2023<\/td><td>8.5%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>XDR patients who were men*<\/td><td>86.2%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>XDR patients hospitalized**<\/td><td>37.6%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*Among 492 patients with age and sex data. **Among 258 patients with hospitalization data. No deaths were reported. Source: <a href=\"#ref5\">CDC MMWR, April 9, 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is what the report means in plain English:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Adults are now central to the story.<\/strong> Shigella once hit mainly young children in the U.S. Among XDR patients, the median age was 41, and most were men.<sup><a href=\"#ref5\">[5]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sexual transmission plays a role.<\/strong> The CDC notes that sex between men is an important transmission route. The report also found HIV co-infection in 46.6% of XDR patients who had a known HIV status.<sup><a href=\"#ref5\">[5]<\/a><\/sup> Researchers in England have documented similar XDR outbreaks linked to sexual transmission.<sup><a href=\"#ref9\">[9]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The true number is likely higher.<\/strong> Not every sample gets cultured or sequenced, so the CDC says it probably undercounts XDR cases.<sup><a href=\"#ref5\">[5]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lab testing matters.<\/strong> Doctors should use susceptibility results to pick a drug whenever possible.<sup><a href=\"#ref5\">[5]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTreatment of XDR shigellosis remains challenging because no optimal therapy has been established.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>Logan N, et al., CDC, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/volumes\/75\/wr\/pdfs\/mm7513a1-H.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MMWR, April 9, 2026<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For most healthy people, the practical message stays the same: hydrate, rest, see a doctor for severe or bloody illness, and prevent spread. The resistance trend simply raises the stakes for prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"prevention\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Prevent Shigella Infection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hand Washing That Works<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wash with soap and water, and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Make it a habit before you cook or eat, after using the bathroom or changing a diaper, and before sexual activity.<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">At Home and in Child Care<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Throw soiled diapers into a covered, lined trash can.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Disinfect changing areas right after each use, especially after leaks or spills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Watch young children as they wash their hands.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep children with diarrhea home from child care, school, and play groups.<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Food and Water Safety (Including When You Travel)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.<sup><a href=\"#ref4\">[4]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use bottled or properly treated water for drinking and cooking where tap water may be unsafe.<sup><a href=\"#ref4\">[4]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Follow the CDC\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/wwwnc.cdc.gov\/travel\/page\/food-water-safety\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">safe food and water habits for travelers<\/a> during international trips.<sup><a href=\"#ref1\">[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Try not to swallow water in lakes, ponds, rivers, or untreated pools. Skip swimming until you fully recover from any diarrhea.<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Protecting Others When You Are Sick<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not prepare food for other people if you can avoid it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stay home from health care, food service, and child care jobs while you are sick.<sup><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wait at least 2 weeks after diarrhea ends before having sex.<\/strong> Bacteria can linger in stool after symptoms fade. The same rule applies if your partner has been sick.<sup><a href=\"#ref1\">[1]<\/a><a href=\"#ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup> The CDC offers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/shigella\/prevention\/preventing-shigella-infection-among-sexually-active-people.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">guidance for sexually active people<\/a> that covers this in more detail.<sup><a href=\"#ref10\">[10]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shigella is a hygiene and exposure issue, not a character issue. Anyone can catch it, and getting tested and treated promptly protects your partners, your family, and your community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"faq\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions About Shigella<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long does a Shigella infection last?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most people feel better in 5 to 7 days. Some cases last longer, and normal bowel habits can take weeks or months to return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you catch Shigella?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You catch it by swallowing the bacteria. That usually happens through contaminated hands, food, or water, or through sexual contact that involves stool exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can Shigella go away without antibiotics?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. Most healthy people recover without antibiotics, as long as they drink plenty of fluids. Doctors prescribe antibiotics mainly for severe cases and for people at higher risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which antibiotics treat Shigella?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The CDC lists ciprofloxacin and azithromycin as two recommended oral antibiotics. Your doctor will choose based on lab results, because some strains resist these drugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I take Imodium for Shigella?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not if your diarrhea is bloody. The CDC says anti-diarrheal medicines such as loperamide (Imodium) and diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil) may make symptoms worse. Ask a doctor before you use them for any suspected Shigella infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long is Shigella contagious?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You are contagious while you have symptoms, and the germs can pass in your stool for up to a few weeks afterward. Some people spread the bacteria without ever feeling sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Shigella a sexually transmitted infection?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shigella can spread during sexual contact that involves stool exposure, but it also spreads through food, water, and everyday contact. Anyone can get it. The CDC advises waiting at least 2 weeks after diarrhea ends before having sex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Shigella dangerous for children?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Children under 5 get Shigella most often. Most recover well, but young children can become dehydrated quickly, and some have seizures. Call a doctor right away if your child has bloody diarrhea, a high fever, a seizure, or signs of dehydration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shigella infection is common, highly contagious, and usually short-lived. Fluids, rest, and careful hygiene get most people through it. The real danger comes from dehydration, complications in young children and people with weak immune systems, and a growing share of drug-resistant strains. Wash your hands, protect others while you recover, and call a doctor if you see blood in the stool, a high fever, or signs of dehydration.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Medical disclaimer:<\/strong> This content is for education only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk with a qualified healthcare professional about your symptoms, especially before starting or stopping any medicine. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"references\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">References<\/h2>\n\n\n<ol>\n<li id=\"ref1\">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/shigella\/about\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">About Shigella Infection<\/a>. Reviewed January 10, 2024.<\/li>\n<li id=\"ref2\">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/shigella\/treatment\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Treatment of Shigella Infection<\/a>. March 15, 2024.<\/li>\n<li id=\"ref3\">Mayo Clinic Staff. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/shigella\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20377529\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shigella infection: Symptoms and causes<\/a>. September 17, 2024.<\/li>\n<li id=\"ref4\">Cleveland Clinic. <a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/17826-shigellosis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shigellosis (Shigella Infection)<\/a>. Medically reviewed August 11, 2025.<\/li>\n<li id=\"ref5\">Logan N, et al. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/volumes\/75\/wr\/pdfs\/mm7513a1-H.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Emergence of Extensively Drug-Resistant Shigellosis &mdash; United States, 2011&ndash;2023<\/a>. <em>MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep<\/em>. 2026;75(13):174&ndash;178.<\/li>\n<li id=\"ref6\">Global Burden of Disease Study 1990&ndash;2016. <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC6202441\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Morbidity and mortality due to shigella and enterotoxigenic <em>Escherichia coli<\/em> diarrhoea<\/a>. <em>Lancet Infect Dis<\/em>. 2018;18(11):1229&ndash;1240.<\/li>\n<li id=\"ref7\">World Health Organization and UNICEF. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/publications\/i\/item\/WHO_FCH_CAH_04.7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Clinical management of acute diarrhoea: WHO\/UNICEF joint statement<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li id=\"ref8\">Kotloff KL, Riddle MS, Platts-Mills JA, Pavlinac P, Zaidi AKM. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S0140-6736(17)33296-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shigellosis<\/a>. <em>Lancet<\/em>. 2018;391:801&ndash;812. (Further reading)<\/li>\n<li id=\"ref9\">Thorley K, et al. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S1473-3099(22)00807-6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Emergence of extensively drug-resistant and multidrug-resistant <em>Shigella flexneri<\/em> serotype 2a associated with sexual transmission among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, in England<\/a>. <em>Lancet Infect Dis<\/em>. 2023;23:732&ndash;739.<\/li>\n<li id=\"ref10\">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/shigella\/prevention\/preventing-shigella-infection-among-sexually-active-people.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Preventing Shigella Infection Among Sexually Active People<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li id=\"ref11\">USA TODAY. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/health\/2026\/10\/09\/sexually-transmitted-diarrhea-explaining-shigella\/92170753007\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sexually transmitted diarrhea and Shigella: what to know<\/a>. October 9, 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ol>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Is Shigella Infection? Shigella infection (shigellosis) is a bacterial illness of the intestines. It causes diarrhea, which is often &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"Shigella Infection: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/shigella-infection-symptoms-causes-treatment-prevention\/#more-5651\" aria-label=\"Read more about Shigella Infection: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5652,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[241],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-infectious-diseases","resize-featured-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5651"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5651\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5653,"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5651\/revisions\/5653"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5652"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}