A Drug-Resistant Stomach Bug Is Becoming More Prevalent—Should I Be Worried?

People who travel internationally can also get exposed to Shigella if they’re staying in a region where the food and water may be unsafe to consume, the CDC says. Err on the side of caution if you’re unsure about the quality of local food and water sources: In this case, avoid raw foods and vegetables, tap water or ice made from tap water, unpasteurized milk or dairy products, and food purchased from street vendors.

Most people recover from shigellosis without needing antibiotic treatment. Still, some folks are more likely to get an infection or experience severe symptoms, including children under the age of five, people experiencing homelessness, people with HIV, and immunocompromised people, per the CDC. Because Shigella bacteria are spread from person to person via the poop particles of an infected individual, having any form of sex that involves the anus can heighten your risk of contracting the bacteria too. (To be clear, shigellosis is not classified as a sexually transmitted infection.)

Unfortunately, people can be contagious with this stomach bug for a while. You can still pass Shigella to people around you for a few weeks after your symptoms ease up, the CDC notes.

What are the most common shigellosis symptoms?

The symptoms of a shigellosis infection are similar to other GI illnesses, such as norovirus, per the CDC. They can include:

• Fever
• Stomach pain or cramping
• Diarrhea (which can contain blood or mucus)
• Feeling the need to poop even when your bowels are empty
• Nausea
• Vomiting

These symptoms usually begin one to two days after the infection takes hold, per the CDC. In some cases, a person’s bowel habits (such as how often they poop and the consistency of their poop) don’t return to normal for several months after being infected with Shigella bacteria.

Even though most people recover without treatment, certain symptoms should prompt an immediate doctor’s visit, including bloody diarrhea that’s lasted more than three days; severe stomach cramping or tenderness; signs of dehydration, like confusion, dizziness, or lightheadedness; or having a fever and feeling “very sick,” the CDC says. If you go to the doctor with severe symptoms, they can confirm whether or not you’ve been infected with Shigella bacteria via a stool sample to figure out the best treatment plan.

The symptoms of shigellosis can cause dehydration very quickly, so it’s crucial to be mindful of your fluid intake, whether that’s through food or beverages, when you’re feeling really ill. If you feel like you’re unable to keep anything down, you shouldn’t hesitate to see a doctor, if you can.

How to prevent a Shigella infection, and most stomach bugs in general

Handwashing is the name of the game: Sudsing up regularly is one of the easiest things you can do to avoid stomach bugs, including Shigella, the CDC says. You should wash your hands—with water and soap for at least 20 seconds—before preparing food and eating, after going to the bathroom, after changing a diaper, after cleaning your bathroom, and before you have any type of sex. (You should also take care to throw diapers away in a covered, lined garbage can and to clean the changing area thoroughly.)

Now, we’re pretty sure you’re already aware of this, but a gentle reminder: If you or your partner has diarrhea, you shouldn’t have sex. To minimize your chances of getting sick with shigellosis, you should wait at least two weeks after diarrhea stops before you’re intimate again.

If you suspect you have any type of stomach bug, avoid cooking for other people, if possible, and do your best to stay away from health care and childcare facilities, as well as any spaces in which food is prepared, until you feel better.

Again, most people recover from this stomach bug just fine—and taking some simple precautions to protect yourself and your community can go a long way in avoiding a nasty illness and keeping everyone safe.

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