The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have a patient information sheet on shigellosis. Shigellosis is a common diarrheal disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. Symptoms of shigellosis typically start 1–2 days after exposure and include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, abdominal pain, and tenesmus, a painful sensation of needing to pass stools when bowels are empty.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are more likely to acquire shigellosis than the general adult population and more likely than others to get infected with Shigella that is resistant to antibiotics commonly used to treat adults who have shigellosis. MSM may require injectable antibiotics rather than antibiotics that can be taken by mouth. Access the free handout at http://1.usa.gov/1LSZtIz.