June 22, 2007

FACT SHEET

Re:  Shigellosis

Shigellosis is an enteric infection caused by the shigella bacteria.

Most cases of Shigellosis are spread through contact at day care centers by the attendees or their family members.

SYMPTOMS:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Abdominal cramping
• Sometimes bloody stools
• Symptoms last 4 to 7 days
• The disease is self-limited (in most cases).

If a child shows symptoms of having Shigellosis, the Cincinnati Health Department recommends that you have the child immediately evaluated by a physician which includes a stool culture test.

Ohio state law prohibits children with diarrhea from attending day care centers until they are free of diarrhea for at least 24 hours.  Children who test positive for shigella are prohibited from returning to day care until they have two negative stool culture results.

AVOIDING SHIGELLOSIS:

• Practice good hand washing, especially when diapering children, after using the bathroom and before preparing meals

For further questions or information about this infection, please call the Cincinnati Health Department Communicable Disease Unit at 513-357-7462.