Intestinal infections due to Shigella

**Definition:** A disease caused by an infection with the gram-negative bacteria genus Shigella. This disease is characterised by an acute onset of small volume diarrhoea, accompanied by fever and nausea. This disease may also present with toxaemia, vomiting, cramps, and tenesmus. Transmission is by ingestion of contaminated food, or direct contact. Confirmation is by identification of Shigella in a faecal sample.

**Long definition:** An acute bacterial disease involving the distal small intestine and colon, characterized by loose stools of small volume accompanied by fever, nausea and sometimes toxoemia, vomiting, cramps and tenesmus.