--- title: Complications of Shigella Infection date: 2021-01-04T20:29:00-08:00 author: admin canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-complications" section: Resource Library --- [Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / [Shigella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella) / # Complications of Shigella Infection ### There are several serious and long-term risks of *Shigella* infection. Persons with diarrhea caused by *S. sonnei*, in particular, usually recover completely, although it may be several months before their bowel habits are entirely normal. About 2% of persons who are infected with *S.* *flexneri* later develop pains in their joints, irritation of the eyes, and painful urination—something typically diagnosed as reactive arthritis. Reactive arthritis, formerly termed Reiter syndrome, is an autoimmune condition that develops in response to an infection. It has been associated with gastrointestinal infections with *Shigella*, *Salmonella*, *Campylobacter*, and other organisms. Reactive arthritis can last for months or years and may be difficult to treat. ![](https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/aboutshigellacom-images/outbreaks/image7.jpeg)Once someone has suffered a [Shigella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella) infection, a certain level of immunity develops, meaning that the person is not likely to get infected with that specific type again for at least several years. This temporary immunity does not, however, protect against other types of Shigella. *Shigella* bacteria multiply in the human intestinal tract and invade the cells, which results in much tissue destruction. This can cause issues with absorption of essential nutrients in the gut, which can lead to malnutrition and disproportionately affect people in developing countries. Many strains produce a toxin called Shiga toxin, which is very potent and destructive. Shiga toxin is very similar to the verotoxin of [*E. coli* O157:H7](http://www.about-ecoli.com/). Complications of shigellosis include severe dehydration, seizures in small children, rectal bleeding, and invasion of the blood stream by the bacteria (bacteremia or sepsis). In some cases, the bacteria that cause shigellosis may also cause inflammation of the lining of the rectum (proctitis) or rectal prolapse. In rare cases (but more commonly in *S. dysenteriae* infection), there can also be a deadly complication called “toxic megacolon.” This rare complication occurs when the colon becomes paralyzed, preventing bowel movements or passing gas. Signs and symptoms include abdominal pain and swelling, fever, weakness, and disorientation. Untreated, the colon may rupture and cause peritonitis, a life-threatening condition requiring emergency surgery. The other relatively rare complication that can occur with a Shigella infection is the development of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This rare complication is more commonly caused by E. coli O157:H7, and it can lead to a low red blood cell count (hemolytic anemia), low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), and acute kidney failure. It is more common to develop HUS after being infected with S. dysenteriae. With years of experience in foodborne illness litigation, Marler Clark is a [food safety law firm](https://www.falm.com/) you can trust. Reach out today to learn more. [ Next: How is Shigellosis Diagnosed? › ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-diagnosis) ### More information about Shigella [February 26, 2020 ###### Mariscos San Juan Restaurant Shigella Outbreak and Litigation - California (2015) According to a Public Health Warning, on Saturday afternoon, October 17, 2015, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department was notified by a local hospital of 5 patients with fever ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/mariscos-san-juan-restaurant-shigella-outbreak-and-litigation-california-2015) [February 11, 2018 ###### Pearl Catering Shigella Outbreak Lawsuits - Oregon (2018) On August 14, 2018 the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Yamhill County Health and Human Services received reports of multiple people with gastrointestinal illness days after attending a wedding and ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/pearl-catering-shigella-outbreak-and-litigation-oregon-2018) [November 05, 2014 ###### Salsarita Shigella Outbreak Lawsuit – Arkansas (2014) Salsarita’s Restaurant in the Walmart Home Office Café in Bentonville has reopened following a Shigella outbreak that made 275 sick in nine states. ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/salsarita-shigella-outbreak-lawsuit-arkansas-2014) [March 08, 2010 ###### Subway Restaurant Shigella Outbreak Lawsuits - Illinois (2010) At least 116 people were confirmed ill with Shigella infections traced to a Subway restaurant in Lombard, IL in March of 2010. Marler Clark represented 74 people sickened in this ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/subway-restaurant-shigella-outbreak-chicago) [1. View all ](/news_events/outbreaks?illness=shigella&year=all) ## All Shigella Resources [###### Shigella Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/about-shigella) [###### The Incidence of Shigella Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-incidence) [###### The Prevalence of Shigella in Food and Elsewhere ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-prevalence) [###### How is Shigella Infection Spread? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-transmission) [###### Symptoms of Shigella Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-symptoms-risks) [###### Complications of Shigella Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-complications) [###### How is Shigellosis Diagnosed? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-diagnosis) [###### Treatment for Shigella Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-treatment) [###### The Economic Impact of Shigella Infections ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-economic-impact) [###### How to Prevent Shigella Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-prevention) [###### Outbreaks of Shigella Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-outbreaks) [###### Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/antimicrobial-resistance-in-bacteria-shigella) [###### Shigella References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-references) ### Other foodborne illnesses [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) [Salmonella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella) [Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) [Hepatitis A](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a) [Reactive Arthritis](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome) [Norovirus](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus) [Botulism](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism) [Campylobacter](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter) [Cyclospora](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome)