What is Dysentery Causes, Signs and symptoms, Diagnosis and treatment. Dysentery is a condition characterized by inflammation of the intestine, especially the colon, and the presence of mucus and blood in the stool.
What is Dysentery Causes ?
The most common cause of dysentery is infection with the bacterium Shigella. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and rectal bleeding. Treatment is typically with antibiotics.
What is Dysentery?
Dysentery is an infection of the intestines that is typically caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. Symptoms of dysentery include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cramping. Dysentery is usually treated with antibiotics.
Causes
The most common cause of dysentery is the bacteria Shigella. Other causes include the bacteria Entamoeba histolytica, the virus cytomegalovirus, and the protozoan Giardia lamblia.
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of dysentery may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloody diarrhea
- Cramping
- Fever
- Mucus in the stool
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Diagnosis and treatment
Dysentery is typically diagnosed based on the symptoms. A stool sample may also be taken to test for the presence of bacteria, parasites, or viruses.
Treatment for dysentery typically involves antibiotics. Antidiarrheal medications may also be used to relieve symptoms.
Dysentery is caused by a number of different bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The most common cause is the bacterium Shigella.
Other causes include the parasites Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia. Dysentery can also be caused by rotaviruses, adenoviruses, and astroviruses.
What is Dysentery Causes ?
The most common symptom of dysentery is bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss. Dysentery can be deadly if not treated.
Diagnosis of dysentery is usually made based on the symptoms. A stool sample may be taken to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment of dysentery usually involves antibiotics.
Dysentery can be prevented by washing hands thoroughly, cooking food properly, and avoiding contaminated water.
Causes of Dysentery
Bacillary dysentery is caused by infection with bacteria belonging to the Shigella genus. There are four main types of Shigella bacteria that can cause bacillary dysentery: Shigella flexneri, Shigella sonnei, Shigella boydii and Shigella dysenteriae.
Shigella bacteria are spread through contaminated food or water, or through contact with someone who is infected. The incubation period (the time between exposure and developing symptoms) is usually two to four days.
Once the bacteria have entered the intestine, they attach themselves to the lining and release toxins that cause inflammation and severe diarrhoea.
Signs and symptoms of Dysentery
The main symptom of bacillary dysentery is diarrhoea, which can range from mild to severe. Diarrhoea is when you pass watery or bloody stools (faeces) more than three times in a day.
Other symptoms of bacillary dysentery may include:
- abdominal pain
- cramping
- bloating
- fever
- nausea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- blood and mucus in stools
- dehydration symptoms of dehydration include excessive thirst, little or no urine output, dry mouth, fatigue and sunken eyes
Severe dehydration can be life-threatening.
Diagnosis of Dysentery
A diagnosis of bacillary dysentery is usually made based on the symptoms.
To confirm the diagnosis, a stool sample will need to be taken and tested for the presence of Shigella bacteria. This can be done using a microscope, or by sending the sample to a laboratory for DNA testing.
In some cases, a rectal swab (taking a cotton bud and wiping it around the inside of the bottom) may be used to test for Shigella bacteria.
Treatment of Dysentery
Bacillary dysentery usually clears up within a week without treatment.
In the meantime, there are a number of things you can do to ease your symptoms and speed up your recovery, including:
What is Dysentery Causes
- getting plenty of rest
- drinking lots of fluids – aim to drink at least eight glasses of fluids each day to avoid dehydration; water, fruit juice and soup are all good choices
- taking over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to help relieve any pain or discomfort
- avoiding caffeine and alcohol
- eating light, bland foods – good options include rice, porridge, bananas, boiled potatoes and toast
- avoiding dairy products, fatty and fried foods, and foods that are high in fibre
- taking probiotics – these are good bacteria that live in your gut and can help restore a healthy balance of bacteria in your gut; they’re available from pharmacies without a prescription
In some cases, antibiotics may be recommended to treat bacillary dysentery. The type of antibiotic used will depend on which type of Shigella bacteria is causing the infection.
Antibiotics are usually only recommended if you’re at risk of developing complications, such as dehydration, or if you’re pregnant.
What is Dysentery?
Dysentery is an infection of the intestine that causes severe diarrhea and stomach cramps. The main symptom of dysentery is bloody diarrhea.
Dysentery Causes
Dysentery is usually caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. These infections can be passed from person to person through contaminated food or water, or by direct contact with an infected person.
Dysentery Signs and symptoms
The main symptom of dysentery is bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms may include:
- Abdominal pain or cramps
- Bloating
- Fever
- Nausea
- Passing mucus in the stool
- Rectal pain
- Urgent need to have a bowel movement
- Watery diarrhea
Dysentery Diagnosis
Dysentery can be diagnosed based on your symptoms and a physical exam. Your doctor may also order a stool sample to be tested for the presence of blood, pus, or mucus.
Dysentery Treatment
Treatment for dysentery usually involves taking antibiotics to clear the infection. You may also need to take medication to relieve your symptoms. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
How can dysentery be prevented?
You can reduce your risk of dysentery by practicing good hygiene and sanitation. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water What is Dysentery Causes, and be sure to cook food thoroughly. Avoid drinking contaminated water.