Shigellosis

What is shigellosis?

Shigellosis is an intestinal infection of Shigella bacteria that can cause diarrheal illness in humans. Shigellosis occurs when Shigella bacteria are ingested. About 14,000 cases of shigellosis are reported each year, but it is estimated that the actual number is closer to 300,000 cases of shigellosis occurring annually in the United States.

What are the symptoms of shigellosis?

Onset of shigellosis occurs about 1 to 2 days after ingesting the Shigella pathogen. Symptoms of the shigellosis include:

• Diarrhea (which can be bloody)
• Fever
• Abdominal cramping

How long does shigellosis last?

For most people, shigellosis is not a serious illness. Some individuals may have shigellosis and show no signs of illness. For those who become ill, most experience about 5 to 7 days of illness from Shigella poisoning and generally shigellosis resolves without intervention, but for a few victims, the illness can develop into severe and life threatening complications.

Who is most at risk for shigellosis?

Anyone who ingests Shigella is at risk of developing shigellosis, but some groups are more susceptible to the illness and its severe complications. Those at higher risk include:

• Young children
• The elderly
• Individuals with compromised immune systems

What are the complications associated with shigellosis?

For most people, shigellosis is typically not a serious illness and usually resolves without complications or serious long term effects, but for some victims, shigellosis is just the beginning of their problems. Some of the complications that can occur from shigellosis include hospitalization due to severe dehydration from diarrhea. Reiter’s syndrome or reactive arthritis can occur from the body’s autoimmune response to the presence of Shigella in the blood.

Shigella can also produce shiga toxins similar to E. coli O157:H7 which can cause the disease Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a potentially fatal blood disease that can cause kidney failure. For an unfortunate few, shigellosis can even prove to be fatal.

Advocating for Food Safety

The foodborne illness attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault promote food safety through legal advocacy, information outreach and analysis of food poisoning outbreaks. For nearly three decades, the food poisoning attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have helped people harmed by contaminated foods or beverages, including clients in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and across the country.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious complications from a foodborne illness, please contact Neblett, Beard & Arsenault for a free evaluation of your case. Contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 or use our online contact form.