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Yes, you read that correctly. There's an infection that can spread through sex and leave you running for the bathroom — and Franklin County accounts for nearly a third of Ohio's reported cases this year.

As if college students didn't already have enough to worry about when it comes to dating, hookups and staying healthy, there's another infection worth knowing about. And this one comes with a particularly unpleasant twist.

It's called shigellosis, and while it might sound like something you'd pick up from questionable dining hall food, it can also spread through sexual contact.

That's right. Sexually transmitted diarrhea is a real thing.

What's happening in Ohio?

According to Ohio Department of Health data reported in October, the state has recorded 360 cases of shigellosis in 2026, including 118 cases in Franklin County.

That's roughly one out of every three reported cases statewide, right here in the county that Ohio State calls home.

Before you start canceling dates or avoiding everyone at the bars, there's an important distinction: These numbers don't necessarily indicate a new outbreak, and there's no evidence in the reported figures that Ohio State students are driving the infections.

Still, it's something college students should understand, especially because the infection can spread surprisingly easily.

So how exactly does someone get sexually transmitted diarrhea?

Shigellosis is caused by bacteria called Shigella, which infect the intestines.

The bacteria spread through what's known as the fecal-oral route. In less scientific terms, microscopic amounts of infected stool somehow make their way into another person's mouth.

Not exactly romantic.

That can happen through contaminated food, water, surfaces or unwashed hands. But it can also happen during sexual activity, particularly when there's contact with the anal area or contaminated skin, hands or sex toys.

And here's the unsettling part: According to the CDC, it only takes a tiny amount of the bacteria to make someone sick.

What are the symptoms?

If you contract shigellosis, your body will probably make its displeasure pretty clear.

Symptoms can include:

• Diarrhea, sometimes severe or bloody

• Stomach cramps and abdominal pain

• Fever

• An urgent need to use the bathroom, even when there's nothing left to pass

• Dehydration in more serious cases

Symptoms typically begin one to two days after exposure and often last about five to seven days.

For most healthy people, the infection eventually clears up. However, some cases can become serious enough to require medical attention.

Why health officials are concerned

Beyond the unpleasant symptoms, health officials are paying attention to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.

Some strains of Shigella have developed resistance to medications commonly used to treat bacterial infections, making certain cases more difficult to manage.

The CDC estimates that shigellosis causes approximately 450,000 infections nationwide each year.

And while the illness isn't new, the emergence of drug-resistant strains has created additional concerns for public health officials.

What college students should know

Nobody wants to think about bacteria during a hookup, but a few precautions can significantly reduce the risk.

Washing your hands thoroughly, practicing good hygiene before and after sexual activity, cleaning sex toys and using protective barriers can all help prevent transmission.

And if you or your partner is experiencing diarrhea, it's probably a good idea to put romantic plans on hold.

Actually, make that a very good idea.

The CDC recommends avoiding sex for at least two weeks after diarrhea has ended if you or your partner has a Shigella infection.

If you're experiencing severe stomach cramps, fever, bloody diarrhea or symptoms that aren't improving, contact a healthcare provider.

The bottom line

College life comes with plenty of unexpected experiences. Sexually transmitted diarrhea probably wasn't on anyone's freshman-year bingo card.

But with more than 100 reported cases in Franklin County this year, understanding how shigellosis spreads is worth a few minutes of your attention.

And perhaps the biggest takeaway?

Not every sexually transmitted infection looks like the ones you learned about in health class. Sometimes, the warning signs are coming from your stomach instead.

Sources: Ohio Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 614NOW.