Shigellosis is a bacterial infection that affects the intestines.
It is a fairly common disease. Anyone can get shigellosis but it is recognized more often in young children. Children in day care centers, travelers to certain foreign countries, institutionalized people, and active homosexuals are at greatest risk. Shigella bacteria are found in the intestines and stool of infected people who, in turn, may contaminate food or water. The bacteria are spread by direct contact with an infected person, by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, or by contact with a contaminated object.