Page content: What is it? | What are the symptoms? | Where is it found? | How does it spread? | What should I do if I have it? | Can I still work? | How can I stop spreading it to my family? | How can I avoid getting it?

What is Shigellosis?

Shigellosis is a type of gastroenteritis (gastro) caused by the germ (bacterium) Shigella. Anyone can be affected by Shigella.

What are the symptoms of Shigellosis?

The most common symptoms of this disease are diarrhoea (which may contain blood, mucus and pus), fever, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting.

After the bacteria are taken in by mouth, it usually takes between one and three days before you become ill. To trace the cause of the illness, it is necessary to know what you ate and drank and where you were in the three days before you became ill.

Illness usually lasts from four to seven days. Rarely, infection with some types of Shigella bacteria can be life threatening.

Where are Shigella found?

Shigella bacteria are only found in humans.

How does Shigellosis spread?

Shigellosis occurs when Shigella bacteria are taken in by mouth and the most common way this happens is by person-to-person spread.

People with shigellosis have Shigella bacteria in their faeces. If these people do not wash their hands properly after going to the toilet, then contaminated hands can spread the bacteria to surfaces and objects which will be touched by other people. Contaminated hands can also spread the bacteria to food which may be eaten by other people.

Hands can also become contaminated with bacteria when a person changes the nappy of an infant with shigellosis.

People can carry Shigella in their faeces without having any symptoms. These people can still pass the disease on to others.

Contaminated drinking water can also spread Shigella bacteria.

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I think I may have Shigellosis - what should I do?

If you have symptoms of shigellosis, report them to your doctor immediately. This will ensure that you receive proper treatment and advice and that steps are taken to reduce the spread of the disease.

Can I still work?

Food handlers, child care workers and health care workers with shigellosis must not work until symptoms have stopped.

Children must not attend child care centres, kindergartens or school until symptoms have stopped.

How can I stop spreading it to my family?

In your household, the risk of spreading shigellosis can be reduced. It is very important that people with shigellosis do not prepare or handle food to be eaten by other people and that no one else shares their towel or face washer.

How can I avoid getting Shigellosis?

By following the guidelines below, everyone can do something to avoid getting shigellosis.

Careful hand washing

Everyone should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and hot running water for at least ten seconds:

• before preparing food
• before eating
• after going to the toilet or changing nappies
• after smoking
• after using a tissue or handkerchief

Food handlers must use disposable, paper towels or an air dryer to dry their hands. Cloth towels are not recommended as they get dirty quickly and can spread germs from one person to another.

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Safe food storage and handling

• Store food below 5 °C or above 60°C to prevent growth of bacteria
• Thoroughly cook all raw food
• Thoroughly wash raw vegetables before eating
• Reheat food until the internal temperature of the food reaches at least 75 °C
  

Note for microwave oven users

Remember that part of the microwave cooking process, includes standing time. If a microwave oven is used, read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and observe these standing times to ensure the food is completely cooked before it is eaten.

Household cleaning

Bathrooms and toilets must be cleaned often to avoid the spread of infections. Pay particular attention to toilet seats and handles, taps and nappy change tables.

Water from untreated sources

Untreated water that comes directly from lakes or rivers may be contaminated with human faeces. Boil water from these sources before drinking it.

Child care centres

Children are particularly susceptible to shigellosis. Nappy changing and children's lack of proper hygiene makes the transmission of this disease in child care settings particularly high. It is important that thorough hand washing and cleaning procedures are being followed in child care centres to control the spread of bacteria.