Shigellosis

What it is

From: Orphanet

A rare bacterial infectious disease characterized by dysentery caused by Shigella. There are four species (S. dysenteriae, S. flexneri, S. boydii and S. sonnei), all of which cause bacillary dysentery and are strictly limited to human hosts. Affected individuals present with dysenteric syndrome with 10-30 glairy, bloody and watery stools per day, a high temperature (40°C), abdominal pain/cramps and tenesmus following an incubation period of 2-3 days.

Reported clinical features and what the terms mean

The following findings are associated with this condition in Orphanet. They are not a checklist for diagnosing yourself, and they do not all occur in every affected person. Some are examination, imaging or laboratory findings that cannot be recognised at home.

The frequency labels describe how often a finding was reported among people with the condition in the source. They do not give the chance that a person with that symptom has the condition. Definitions below reproduce HPO terminology; they explain the term, not the likely severity in an individual.

Abdominal cramps · Very frequent (99-80%)

A type of abdominal pain characterized by a feeling of contractions and typically fluctuating in intensity.

Abdominal pain · Very frequent (99-80%)

An unpleasant sensation characterized by physical discomfort (such as pricking, throbbing, or aching) and perceived to originate in the abdomen.

Bloody mucoid diarrhea · Very frequent (99-80%)

Passage of many stools containing blood and mucus.

Fever · Very frequent (99-80%)

Body temperature elevated above the normal range.

Abnormal blood ion concentration · Frequent (79-30%)

Abnormality of the homeostasis (concentration) of a monoatomic ion.

Anorexia · Frequent (79-30%)

Lack of desire to eat (loss of appetite).

Asthenia · Frequent (79-30%)

A state characterized by a feeling of weakness and loss of strength leading to a generalized weakness of the body.

Fatigue · Frequent (79-30%)

A subjective feeling of tiredness characterized by a lack of energy and motivation.

Increased total leukocyte count · Frequent (79-30%)

An abnormal increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood.

Nausea · Frequent (79-30%)

A sensation of unease in the stomach together with an urge to vomit.

Tenesmus · Frequent (79-30%)

A repeated, painful urge to defecate without excreting stool.

Vomiting · Frequent (79-30%)

Forceful ejection of the contents of the stomach through the mouth by means of a series of involuntary spasmic contractions.

Dehydration · Frequent (79-30%)

Abscess · Occasional (29-5%)

An abscess is a localized collection of purulent material surrounded by inflammation and granulation.

Other findings in the same source

From: Orphanet

Additional reported features include Acute colitis (Occasional (29-5%)); Bloody diarrhea (Occasional (29-5%)); Febrile seizure (within the age range of 3 months to 6 years) (Occasional (29-5%)); Hypoglycemia (Occasional (29-5%)); Hyponatremia (Occasional (29-5%)); Hypovolemic shock (Occasional (29-5%)); Immunodeficiency (Occasional (29-5%)); Ulcerative colitis (Occasional (29-5%)); Failure to thrive in infancy (Occasional (29-5%)); Paralytic ileus (Occasional (29-5%)). This is a selected summary, not a complete description of the condition.

When it may begin

From: Orphanet

All ages

Inheritance in the source

From: Orphanet

Not applicable

Frequency and the population described

From: Orphanet

Annual incidence: 1-9 / 100 000; Europe; Value and class. Annual incidence: 1-9 / 100 000; Bulgaria; Value and class. Annual incidence: 1-9 / 1 000 000; Croatia; Value and class. Annual incidence: <1 / 1 000 000; Cyprus; Value and class.

Which doctor should you see?

The suggested department for discussing Shigellosis is Infectious Diseases, with a general physician / infectious disease specialist as the relevant type of clinician. General physician / Family Medicine; paediatrician for children. Referral depends on symptoms.

This is an editorial referral starting point. The appropriate clinic depends on the person’s age, symptoms, previous diagnosis and local services. The first clinician can decide whether another specialty or a team is needed; a department label does not confirm the diagnosis.

How to prepare for an assessment

Bring a short timeline of the main symptoms: when they first appeared, whether they are constant or episodic, what seems to change them, and how they affect daily activities. Include previous reports, discharge summaries, current medicines and supplements, allergies, and any relevant family history. A dated record is more useful than trying to match every feature in an online article.

Ask the clinician what is already established and what remains uncertain. If a test is suggested, ask what question it answers, what its limitations are and how the result would change the next step. The information here is not an instruction to arrange every possible test. In children, bring growth, developmental and school information if it is relevant to the concern.

• Which exposure or organism is suspected, and what evidence would confirm it?
• Are precautions, vaccination or advice for close contacts relevant to this infection?
• What should happen if symptoms worsen or do not improve as expected?

Treatment discussions and follow-up

The material gathered for this draft does not provide a complete condition-specific treatment pathway for Shigellosis. That gap does not mean that treatment is unavailable. A clinician needs to establish the diagnosis and review current guidance before recommending medicines, procedures, rehabilitation or other support.

Before leaving the appointment, clarify the next review date, who will communicate results, and whom to contact if the situation changes. Discuss difficulties with sleep, work, school, mobility, eating or emotional wellbeing when these are relevant. Practical support may require coordination between the treating clinician and other services.

The collected references do not establish a complete prevention or long-term outlook section for this entry. Missing information should not be interpreted as proof that prevention is impossible or that a particular outcome is inevitable. Ask what is known for the exact subtype, stage and personal circumstances, and which uncertainties remain.

When to seek emergency help

Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, new stroke-like symptoms, a seizure that is prolonged or repeated without recovery, uncontrolled major bleeding, or an immediate risk of self-harm require emergency help. In India, call 112 or reach the nearest emergency department. This is a general, non-exhaustive warning list; it is not a condition-specific triage tool.