An unusual case of diarrhea.

The clue to this patient's correct diagnosis was his recent return from India. He usually visits there on an annual basis and the occurrence of posttravel infection has been noted in his medical records. This case study shows the importance of assessing patients for fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea after recent travel outside of the United States. Shigella gastroenteritis should be in the differential diagnosis for patients with the above clinical presentation. The keys for diagnosis and prompt treatment of this disorder are to obtain the history, recognize symptoms, and order stool cultures.