Manifestation of shigellosis

The shigella organism enters the body through the mouth and then multiplies in the bowel, terminal ileum, colon, and rectum which produces a range of symptoms. The disease is sometimes called shigellosis.

Shigellosis (the disease caused by Shigella) usually strikes between twelve and fifty hours after the contaminated food is consumed.

The versatile manifestations of these highly contagious organisms range from acute watery diarrhea to fulminant dysentery characterized by frequent scant bloody stools with fever, prostration, and abdominal cramps. A broad array of uncommon, but often severe, intestinal and extraintestinal complications can occur.

On rare occasions it can cause Reiter’s syndrome, reactive arthritis and hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Most people with shigellosis will get better within 5 to 7 days without medical treatment. However, Shigella bacteria can cause more severe illness in infants, the elderly, or people with immune systems weakened by cancer, cancer treatments, or other serious conditions (like diabetes, kidney failure, liver disease, and HIV/AIDS).
Manifestation of shigellosis