National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Shigellosis


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Shigellosis is a disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. Shigella is very contagious. Shigella germs are present in the stools of infected individuals for up to two weeks after symptoms have resolved. Individuals may be exposed through direct contact with an infected person or through contaminated food, water (both drinking and recreational water), or surfaces. Though anyone can get shigellosis, young children are most at risk. Symptoms of shigellosis usually begin one to two days after exposure and include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. In otherwise healthy individuals, the symptoms usually resolve in 5-7 days. Those with mild shigellosis may need only rest and self-care measures to avoid dehydration (drinking fluids and electrolyte solutions). For more severe cases, antibiotics may be prescribed though some cases of shigellosis have been found to be resistant to antibiotics. Laboratory tests can be performed to determine which antibiotics are likely to be effective in an individual case. Most people make a full recovery, though it may take several months for bowel habits to return to normal. Complications are rare but may include post-infectious arthritis, bloodstream infections, seizures, or hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). [1][2]
Last updated: 10/5/2016

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Shigellosis. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Providing General Support

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

General Information

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.

  1. Shigella – Shigellosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). August 3, 2016; http://www.cdc.gov/shigella/general-information.html. Accessed 10/5/2016.
  2. Vyas, Jatin. Shigellosis. MedlinePlus. March 13, 2016; https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000295.htm. Accessed 10/5/2016.