Dysentery

Diarrhoea with blood, pus, or mucus, generally accompanied by stomach discomfort, is known as dysentery. It normally lasts between three and seven days. Dysentery is a gastrointestinal illness that results in bloody diarrhoea. Dysentery is caused by parasites or bacteria. Poor hygiene is the most common cause of dysentery. For example, if a person with dysentery does not wash their hands after using the restroom, everything they touch is potentially infected. The virus can also be spread by ingesting faeces-infected food or drinking contaminated water. Hand cleaning and sanitation are important in preventing dysentery and preventing it from spreading.

The article deals with the explanation of what is dysentery, dysentery is caused by which pathogen, dysentery symptoms, and the dysentery treatment.

Types of Dysentery

Dysentery may be divided into two categories. Amoebic dysentery, also known as intestinal amoebiasis, is caused by a single-celled, tiny parasite that lives in the large intestine. Bacillary dysentery, the second form, is caused by invasive bacteria. Both types of dysentery are more common in hotter climates. Dysentery is caused by transmitting the parasite or bacterium that causes dysentery via water and food tainted by infectious human faeces, poor hygiene, and sanitation increase the risk of dysentery. Infection with bacteria causing dysentery Shigella, Campylobacter, Salmonella, or enterohemorrhagic E. coli causes bacterial dysentery. Shigellosis is the name for Shigella diarrhoea. The most frequent kind of dysentery is shigellosis. A single-celled parasite attacks the intestines and causes amoebic dysentery. Amoebiasis is another name for it. In the developed world, amoebic dysentery is less prevalent. It's most commonly encountered in tropical areas with poor sanitation. The majority of instances of amoebic dysentery in the United States occur in persons who have travelled to a region where it is widespread.

Causes of Dysentery

As we have seen dysentery is caused by both bacteria and amoeba, let us look into the main causes of dysentery in human beings. Dysentery can be caused by a variety of factors. By far the most prevalent cause of dysentery is bacterial infections. Let us summarise the causes of dysentery in the following points.

• Ingestion of contaminated food

• Ingestion of contaminated water and drinks

• Unhygienic conditions include poor hand washing techniques by an infected individual

• Swimming in contaminated water

• Physical contact with the infected person

Dysentery Symptoms

Now that we have understood what is dysentery, the types of dysentery, and the causes of it, let us look into some of the common symptoms of the disease. Symptoms might appear one to three days after being infected. Symptoms may take more time to occur in some individuals. The symptoms of each form of dysentery are slightly different. Dysentery is characterized by regular, near-liquid diarrhoea flecked with blood, mucus, or pus. As there is the presence of blood in stool, it is often known as blood dysentery. Other signs and symptoms include:

• Diarrhoea with cramps

• Fever

• Nausea and vomiting

• Blood or mucus in the diarrhoea (specifically in blood dysentery) 

• Abdominal pain

• Loss of appetite

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Dehydration 

• Flatulence 

Symptoms of bacillary dysentery appear 2 to 10 days after infection. Fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea are common symptoms in youngsters. With blood, mucus, and pus in the child's stool, diarrhoea can last up to an hour. If not addressed, vomiting and diarrhoea can cause quick and severe dehydration, which can lead to life-threatening complications. Dry lips, sunken eyes, and poor skin tone are all signs of dehydration. Children and newborns will be thirsty, agitated, and even sluggish. Children may be unable to shed tears or generate urine, if urine is produced it appears dark and concentrated.

People who have amoebic dysentery may also have additional amoebic dysentery symptoms. The most common consequence is an amoebic abscess, which occurs when parasites travel to the liver. The patient would have a high temperature, weight loss, and right shoulder or upper abdomen pain in this situation. If the bowel infection is particularly severe, intestinal ulcers might lead to bowel perforation and death. The parasites can travel via circulation and infect the lungs, brain, and other organs in rare cases.

Dysentery Complications

Since we have learned what is dysentery, bacteria causes dysentery, and what are dysentery symptoms, now let us look into the common complications of the disease. It is important to keep in mind that one of the common symptoms, dehydration is also regarded as a complication of the disease. In case of diarrhoea, it's important to drink enough water. Other dysentery problems that are linked to dehydration include:

• Potassium deficiency, which can lead to life-threatening cardiac rhythm alterations

• Seizures

• Haemolytic uraemic syndrome is a kind of haemolytic uraemia, a type of kidney damage.

• Toxic megacolon

• Rectal prolapse

Dysentery Treatment

Let us see the common approach towards the dysentery treatment or the common drugs that are provided as dysentery medicine. Rest and plenty of fluids are typically all that is required to cure mild shigellosis. The majority of people who have bacillary dysentery do not require prescription medication. Within a week, the infection normally goes away on its own. Antiparasitic drugs such as metronidazole, paromomycin, and iodoquinol are routinely used in amoebic dysentery treatment. Bacillary dysentery is sometimes treated with medicines such as ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, or azithromycin. Bismuth subsalicylate is used as a preventive measure. Furthermore, loperamide, an antidiarrheal medicine, is used to slow the bowel and avoid dehydration. It's critical to replenish the fluids lost due to diarrhoea. Soft drinks, juices, and bottled water will suffice in moderate situations. Electrolyte-based solutions, such as potassium, salt, and sucrose, should be used to treat more severe diarrhoea. Commercial oral rehydration treatments are generally required for severe diarrhoea.

Thus, we have discussed what is dysentery, what is blood dysentery, bacteria cause dysentery above. We have also learned about the dysentery symptoms and dysentery medicine used as a part of the dysentery treatment.