- What is shigellosis? - What are the symptoms of shigellosis? -
How do people get shigellosis? - How is shigellosis diagnosed? -
How is shigellosis treated? - Can shigellosis be prevented? -
Are there recommendations for people in certain occupations?
Shigellosis is a gastrointestinal infection caused by the
bacterium Shigella. There are four kinds of Shigella that can
cause illness, but the two most commonly identified in Vermont
are Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri. Symptoms of
shigellosis usually begin from one to three days after the
bacteria have been swallowed. Shigellosis typically begins with
fever, abdominal pain and watery diarrhea. After a day or more,
the diarrhea may become bloody. Some people may have mild
infections with only some of the symptoms, or may not have any
symptoms at all. Most people are sick for four to seven days.
More severe illness may occur in young children and people with
other health problems. People become infected by swallowing the
bacteria. This can happen in severa