Shigella bacteria cause an infection called shigellosis. Most people with Shigella infection have diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, and stomach cramps.SkipdirectlytositecontentSkipdirectlytopageoptionsSkipdirectlytoA-ZlinkShigella–ShigellosisSectionNavigationCDCHomeFacebookTwitterLinkedInSyndicateShigella–ShigellosisMinusRelatedPagesShigellabacteriacauseaninfectioncalledshigellosis.MostpeoplewithShigellainfectionhavediarrhea(sometimesbloody),fever,andstomachcramps.Symptomsusuallybegin1–2daysafterinfectionandlast7days.Mostpeoplerecoverwithoutneedingantibiotics.However,peoplewithsevereillnessandthosewithunderlyingconditionsthatweakentheimmunesystemshouldbegivenantibiotics.Antibioticscanshortenthedurationofillness(byabout2days)andmighthelpreducethespreadofShigellatoothers.Washingyourhandsoftenwithsoapandrunningwaterandtakingotherhygienemeasures canhelpprotectyouandyourlovedonesfrominfection.editiconQuestions&AnswersGeneralinformation...labiconDiagnosis&TreatmentLaboratorytesting,identification...labiconPreventionHowtostayhealthyandpreventinfection...medicaliconSymptomsSigns,symptoms,andoutcomes...searchiconSourcesofInfection&RiskFactorsWhogetsitandhow...globeiconENESPAÑOLInformaciónenespañol...InfoforSpecificGroupsSexuallyActivePeopleParentsofYoungChildrenChildcareFacilitiesHealthcareProfessionalsPublicHealthProfessionalsInternationalTravelersenEspañol:PreguntasyrespuestasPublications,Data,&StatisticsShigellaResourcesHealthPromotionMaterialsNewsroomHealthyWaterSitesHealthyWaterDrinkingWaterHealthySwimmingGlobalWASHOtherUsesofWaterWASH-relatedEmergencies&OutbreaksPagelastreviewed:October7,2020Contentsource:CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention,NationalCenterforEmergingandZoonoticInfectiousDiseases(NCEZID),DivisionofFoodborne,Waterborne,andEnvironmentalDiseases(DFWED)homeShigellaQuestions&AnswersSymptomsDiagnosis&TreatmentplusiconAntibioticResistanceSourcesofInfection&RiskFactorsPreventionEnEspañolInformationforSpecificGroupsplusiconSexuallyActivePeopleParentsofYoungCh