Overview
Shigellosis, or Shigella infection caused by Shigella bacteria, is a disease that affects your digestive system. It produces stomach pain, diarrhea and fever in people who are infected. Shigella is very contagious. There are various types in the Shigella bacteria group.
You can get shigellosis by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. If you swim in contaminated water, you may get shigellosis by accidentally swallowing water that you’re swimming in.
Shigella infection, a type of food poisoning, may also be called bacillary dysentery. Dysentery is a word for diarrhea that contains blood or mucus.
Who does Shigella infection affect?
Anyone can be infected with Shigella, but it often occurs in regions with poor sanitation or in crowded places, such as schools, day care centers and nursing homes. Younger children are more likely to be infected because they often put their hands in their mouths.
How common is Shigella infection?
Shigellosis is a worldwide problem, with about 188 million cases per year that result in about 1 million deaths per year. In developed countries, there are about 1.5 million cases per year. In the U.S., there are approximately 450,000 cases every year.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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