• Shigella cause an estimated 450,000 infections in the United States each year.
• People who have shigellosis usually get better without antibiotic treatment in 5 to 7 days.
  • People with mild shigellosis may need only fluids and rest.

• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Take care when changing diapers.
• Avoid swallowing water from ponds, lakes, or swimming pools.
• When traveling internationally, follow safe food and water habits and wash hands often with soap and water.
• If you or your partner has been diagnosed with shigellosis, do not have sex until at least two weeks after diarrhea has ended.

In healthcare settings, contact precautions are recommended for persons who are incontinent or diapered for the duration of illness.

Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 3701-3-13 (X) states:

"Shigellosis: a person with shigellosis who attends a child care center or works in a sensitive occupation shall be excluded from the child care center or work in the sensitive occupation and may return if diarrhea has ceased and after two consecutive follow-up stool specimens are negative for Shigella."

Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 3701-3-01 (E) states:

" 'Child care center' means any private home, institution, or public or private facility in which child care is provided for one or more infants, toddlers, preschool children, and school children outside of school hours, during any part of the twenty-four hour day, by persons other than the parents or legal guardians of the children in care." A child care center applies to before or after school programs regardless of where the program is held.

Obtain the first specimen at least 48 hours after cessation of diarrhea or, if being treated, at least 48 hours after completion of antibiotic therapy. Obtain the remaining specimen(s) at least 24 hours apart. For Shigella patients treated with azithromycin, it is recommended to wait to collect specimens for 96 hours (4 days) after the completion of the antibiotic. This is due to azithromycin taking longer to clear the gut. When specimens are collected prior to 96 hours, the resulting specimens often report out as "no growth," which is not the same as a negative result. In a situation of a "no growth" result, specimens must be collected again.