Is Shigellosis Contagious?

Contagion summary:

Infective dose -- As few as 10 cells depending on age and condition of host. The Shigella spp. are highly infectious agents that are transmitted by the fecal-oral route (Source: FDA Bad Bug Book)

Most Shigella infections are the result of the bacterium passing from stools or soiled fingers of one person to the mouth of another person. (Source: excerpt from Shigellosis (General): DBMD)

spread can easily occur by the fecal-oral route and occurs in areas where hygiene are poor. Epidemics may be foodborne or waterborne. Shigella can also be transmitted by flies. (Source: excerpt from Shigellosis: DBMD)

Discussion about Contagion of Shigellosis:

Foodborne Infections General: DBMD (Excerpt)

Some common diseases are occasionally foodborne, even though they are usually transmitted by other routes.  These include infections caused by Shigella , hepatitis A, and the parasites Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidia.  Even strep throats have been transmitted occasionally through food.  (Source: excerpt from Foodborne Infections General: DBMD)

Shigellosis (General): DBMD (Excerpt)

The Shigella bacteria pass from one infected person to the next. Shigella are present in the diarrheal stools of infected persons while they are sick and for a week or two afterwards. Most Shigella infections are the result of the bacterium passing from stools or soiled fingers of one person to the mouth of another person. This happens when basic hygiene and handwashing habits are inadequate. It is particularly likely to occur among toddlers who are not fully toilet-trained. Family members and playmates of such children are at high risk of becoming infected.

Shigella infections may be acquired from eating contaminated food. Contaminated food may look and smell normal. Food may become contaminated by infected food handlers who forget to wash their hands with soap after using the bathroom. Vegetables can become contaminated if they are harvested from a field with sewage in it. Flies can breed in infected feces and then contaminate food. Shigella infections can also be acquired by drinking or swimming in contaminated water. Water may become contaminated if sewage runs into it, or if someone with shigellosis swims in it. (Source: excerpt from Shigellosis (General): DBMD)

Foodborne Diseases, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID (Excerpt)

While outbreaks have occurred in primate colonies, the only significant carriers are people. Shigella organisms are generally transmitted via the fecal-oral route. Like EHEC, the infectious human dose can be as few as 10 organisms. Infected food workers can cause outbreaks in eating establishments. (Source: excerpt from Foodborne Diseases, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)

About contagion and contagiousness:

Contagion and contagiousness refers to how easily the spread of Shigellosis is possible from one person to another. Other words for contagion include "infection", "infectiousness", "transmission" or "transmissability". Contagiousness has nothing to do with genetics or inheriting diseases from parents. For an overview of contagion, see Introduction to Contagion.

 » Next page: Treatments for Shigellosis

Rate This Website

What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:

Website User Survey

Medical Tools & Articles:

Next articles:

• Treatments for Shigellosis
• Alternative Treatments for Shigellosis
• Doctors and Medical Specialists for Shigellosis
• Prevention of Shigellosis
• Cure Research for Shigellosis

Tools & Services:

• Bookmark this page
• Take a survey relating to Shigellosis
• Symptom Search
• Symptom Checker
• Medical Dictionary
• Give your feedback

Medical Articles:

• Disease & Treatments Search
• Misdiagnosis Center
• Full list of interesting articles

Forums & Message Boards

• Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
• I cannot get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for my condition?
• See all the Boards.

Enter your search terms Submit search form
Search The Web Search wrongdiagnosis.com

Common Health Mistakes

Symptom
Checker

Search Specialists by State and City