Shigella

What is Shigella?

Shigella (Shigellosis) is a common diarrhoeal disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella.

Gay, Bi men and any men who have sex with men are at greater risk of getting Shigella.

Drug resistant Shigella is increasing in Queensland and elsewhere.

People living with HIV can have more serious or prolonged Shigellosis illness.

Diarrhoea (sometimes bloody)
Fever
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Tenesmus (an uncomfortable sensation of wanting to empty the bowels, when the bowels are empty).
Symptoms usually start 1 - 2 days after exposure, but may range from 12 hours to one week.

When faecal matter (poo) that is infected with Shigella comes in contact with your mouth
Fisting
Sharing sex toys
Rimming (licking bum)
Anal & oral sex

Wash your hands well with soapy warm water after handling used condoms, sex toys & after having sex as well as after using the toilet.
Avoid touching your mouth during sex.
Use dams for rimming (A thin sheet of latex used as a barrier during oral sex to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by creating a barrier between the mouth and the partner's genitals or bum).
Don’t have sex until you are no longer infectious. This is usually one week after symptoms resolve.
If you have drug-resistant Shigella, you should also have a stool sample that shows you no longer have Shigella infection.

A doctor or health care provider can test your stool (poo) to determine if you are infected with Shigella.

If you have a severe infection, you may require antibiotics. Please speak with your doctor.

Drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration.
If you notice symptoms, avoid sexual contact until you have seen a doctor and a week has passed since you last had symptoms. If tests show you have drug-resistant Shigella, don’t have sex until at least 1 week after symptoms resolve and you have one stool sample confirming you no longer have shigella infection.
If you work in the health care, aged care or child care sector; or food preparation and handling sector, seek further information from your doctor.

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