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Drug-resistant cases of an illness that can be caused by sexual contact are on the rise in the United States, health experts said.
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The shigella bacteria, which can spread from person to person via sexual contact as well as in other ways, causes an illness known as shigellosis.
There is no vaccine for the illness, which can cause stomach cramps and diarrhea.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 13,921 Americans have been diagnosed with shigellosis in 2026 as of Sept. 26, a pace that appears consistent with last year’s total of 14,277 cases.
Also, cases of drug-resistant shillegosis are on the rise in the United States, the CDC said.
In 2011, no cases of shigellosis were drug-resistant; in 2023, 8.5% of shigellosis cases were diagnosed as being drug-resistant.
Here’s what to know:
What is shigellosis?
Shigellosis is an illness caused by shigella bacteria, the CDC said.
The bacteria is found all over the world, but is most common in developing countries and in crowded or unhygienic conditions, such as refugee camps, areas hit by natural disasters or war, schools and daycare centers.
Shigella bacteria are named for Japanese bacteriologist Shiga Kiyoshi, who discovered the germ in 1897, Britannica said.
How common is shigellosis?
Shigella bacteria cause an estimated 450,000 infections in the United States each year, the CDC said. Drug-resistant infections result in an estimated $93 million in direct medical costs.
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Who is at risk for shigellosis?
People who are at risk for shigellosis include gay and bisexual males and men who have sex with men, kids younger than 5, people who live in or travel to areas without clean, running water, people with a weakened immune system and people who are experiencing homelessness, the Cleveland Clinic said.
What are the symptoms of shigellosis?
The Mayo Clinic says symptoms of shigellosis can include:
- Diarrhea that may contain blood or mucus, and that may last more than three days
- Stomach pain or cramps
- A feeling of needing to pass stool even when the bowel is empty
- Fever
- Upset stomach or vomiting
Symptoms tend to last about seven days, although some people infected with shigella bacteria have no symptoms.
What are the complications of shigellosis?
Potential complications of shigellosis can include dehydration, a severe loss of fluids that can cause your body not to work properly; bacterial infections in your blood that can spread to other parts of your body; seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in your brain; reactive arthritis, or joint inflammation triggered by an infection; or hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition that damages the blood vessels in your kidneys, the Cleveland Clinic said.
When should you see a doctor about shigellosis?
Call a doctor if you have bloody diarrhea, diarrhea that causes weight loss and dehydration, diarrhea along with a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius) or higher, terrible stomach cramps or tenderness, frequent vomiting that prevents you from keeping down liquids, or dehydration symptoms such as little or no urination, very dry mouth and throat, or a feeling of dizziness when standing, the Mayo Clinic said.
How does shigellosis spread?
People can catch an infection by getting shigella bacteria on their hands and then touching food or their mouths, eating food prepared by someone with an infection, swallowing lake or river water or through sexual contact, the CDC said.
How can you prevent shigellosis?
There is no vaccine for shigellosis or shigella infections.
The Cleveland Clinic suggests these steps to avoid shigellosis:
- Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often, especially before and after eating, after using the bathroom and changing diapers, and before preparing food
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly
- Avoid swallowing water in pools, lakes or ponds
- Throw away soiled diapers in a lined garbage can with a lid
- Drink and cook with bottled water if you’re in an area where you’re unsure whether the water is safe
- If you or your partner has diarrhea, wait a week after recovery to have sex
How is shigellosis treated?
Most people with shigellosis feel better within five to seven days without antibiotics, the CDC said. They may need only fluids and rest.
More severe cases may require antibiotics, the agency said.
How can you tell shigellosis from other illnesses?
Since diarrhea can be caused by many different illnesses, laboratory tests are normally needed to identify shigellosis, the New York State Health Department said.
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