Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. Most people infected with Shigella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps starting a day or two after they are exposed to the bacteria. The diarrhea is often bloody. Shigellosis typically resolves in 5 to 7 days. Some persons who are infected may have no symptoms at all, but may still pass the Shigella bacteria to others.
Persons with shigellosis in the United States rarely require hospitalization but in rare cases shigellosis can lead to dangerous complications. A severe Shigella infection with high fever may be associated with seizures in children less than 2 years old. Shigella produces a toxin similar to the toxin produced by E. coli O157, which can cause the potentially deadly blood disease hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) usually attacks the kidneys of its victims and in about 10-15% of cases the disease proves to be fatal.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2010
