Shigella are bacteria that cause an intestinal infection. They are only found in human stool. Anyone who comes into contact with infected stool can get Shigella.
Men having sex with men are at particular risk due to high rates of infection in the gay community.
It can be spread in day care settings with young children, especially toddlers aged 2 to 4, who are not completely toilet trained or have poor hygiene. It can also be spread in contaminated food or water, in developing countries and among people with poor hygiene or those living in unsanitary conditions. A person with Shigella may experience no, mild or severe symptoms. In most cases recovery takes 4-7 days but some take longer. In some persons, especially young children, elderly, or immunocompromised persons, the diarrhea can be so severe requiring hospitalization.