What Are the Different Symptoms of Shigellosis?

The intestinal infection shigellosis is caused by various types of Shigella bacteria. Symptoms of shigellosis are mainly gastrointestinal, including abdominal pain, rectal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. A fever is another possible symptom. The disorder often resolves on its own within about a week, but severe cases can be life-threatening. Doctors treat shigellosis with fluid replacement and antibiotics.

Shigellosis spreads through contact with an infected person's stool, no matter how small the contact. An infected individual who does not wash his or her hands after going to the bathroom can infect others by touching them or by preparing or serving food. Water sources also can become contaminated with Shigella bacteria — a problem that is more likely in developing countries. Outbreaks are often connected with crowded conditions and poor personal hygiene habits. Small children in day care centers commonly infect one another, and their families are then at risk.

Symptoms of shigellosis usually appear within three days after exposure to the bacteria. They might occur as soon as 12 hours after exposure. A common symptom is watery diarrhea, which might include blood or mucus. The patient might experience cramping rectal pain and painful bowel movements. Diarrhea might become severe, particularly in young children and elderly individuals.

A person who has shigellosis might have other symptoms as well. When the disease begins, he or she might experience sudden abdominal pain, tenderness or cramps and a sudden high fever. Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting also are symptoms of shigellosis. During diagnostic testing, the doctor typically checks for additional symptoms of shigellosis, such as an elevated white blood cell count and white blood cells in the patient's stool.

Diarrhea and vomiting might lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can cause changes in heart rate and low blood pressure. This can be prevented or resolved by drinking plenty of fluids, including liquids that contain salt and minerals. If the patient cannot keep fluids down, he or she might need intravenous fluid replacement.

Possible severe complications of shigellosis include kidney failure, arthritis and seizures. Severe shigellosis cases might lead to a brain disorder known as encephalopathy, with symptoms of stiff neck, headache, confusion and fatigue. This complication is more likely in children.

In addition to fluid and electrolyte replacement, shigellosis treatment includes antibiotics that reduce the duration and severity of the disease and help prevent its spread to other people. Anti-diarrhea medications generally are not recommended because they might prolong the infection. Shigellosis outbreaks can be prevented by good sanitation, frequent hand washing, proper handling of food and avoiding food and water that might be contaminated.