Shigellosis is a bacterial infection that affects the guts.
Most cases are seen in the summer and early fall and occur as single cases or outbreaks. Anyone can get shigellosis, but it is recognized more often in young children. Those who may be at greater risk include children in day-care centers, travelers to certain foreign countries, institutionalized or hospitalized people, and men who have sex with other men. The shigella bacteria are passed in the bowl movements of infected persons. Shigella bacteria are spread by direct contact with an infected person, or by eating or drinking food or water that has been contaminated with feces.