Shigella

Definition

Shigella is a type of bacteria that causes an infectious disease called shigellosis. Shigellosis is characterized by severe diarrhea (often bloody), fever, stomach cramps, and sometimes vomiting. It spreads through fecal-oral transmission, usually due to poor hygiene or contaminated food/water.

Related terms

Salmonella: A group of bacteria that cause salmonellosis - an infection with symptoms like diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps. It is commonly transmitted through contaminated food (especially poultry/eggs).

E.coli: Escherichia coli is a bacterium found in the intestines of humans/animals. Some strains can cause illness such as diarrhea (including bloody stools) and abdominal pain when ingested through contaminated food/water.

Campylobacteriosis: An infection caused by the Campylobacter bacterium leading to symptoms like diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, abdominal pain/cramping. It often results from consuming undercooked poultry or unpasteurized milk/products.