Dysentery is an inflammation of the intestinal tract caused by a parasite or bacteria. It is an infectious disease associated with severe diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, weight loss and stomach cramps. Drinking plenty of fluids is recommended to prevent dehydration and can be life-threatening if adequate hydration is not maintained. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe, and treatment can depend on the underlying cause.
The symptoms and signs of intestinal inflammation are usually mild and usually disappear within a few days. For this reason, most people do not seek medical attention. However, since this condition can cause serious complications, it is important to seek expert help.
What are the symptoms and types of dysentery?
It is a condition that can cause irritation and inflammation in the intestines, which can result in a range of symptoms. The intensity of symptoms may vary between individuals. Symptoms can appear in about 1 to 3 days after the person is infected. Symptoms of dysentery include
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Bloody diarrhea (may also be watery or mucous)
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Fire
- Vomiting
As the infection progresses, different symptoms may develop, including symptoms of dehydration. Other possible symptoms may include
- Decreased urine
- Dry skin and dry mouth
- Muscle cramps
- Feeling of weakness in muscles
- Weight loss
There are two main types of dysentery: bacillary and amoebic dysentery. Intestinal infections can be severe in some cases and need to be treated. Untreated or delayed treatment can be life-threatening. In case of any symptoms, you should go to the nearest health institution and have the necessary checks done. Types of dysentery are as follows:
Bacillary Dysentery
While a bacterial infection can cause this condition, it is known as the most common type. Symptoms of infection due to Shigella bacteria occur about 1 to 3 days after the person is infected. Usually, the first symptom is diarrhea with mild abdominal pain. Rarely, blood or mucus is seen in the stool and in some cases the symptoms are very mild. It can resolve spontaneously within a few days without treatment. Symptoms also include nausea, vomiting and fever.
Amoebic Dysentery
The parasite Entamoeba histolytica is one of the main causes of amoebic dysentery. It causes severe diarrhea with blood or mucus. It can be life-threatening if not treated in time. It can spread beyond the intestinal wall to different organs. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea with blood or mucus, constipation, weakness, fever and chills.
What Causes Dysentery?
Dysentery is usuallycaused by a parasitic or bacterial infection. Parasitic and bacterial infections that cause this condition are very contagious. People living in warmer climates and without access to proper sanitation and hygiene practices are more prone to catching these bacteria and parasites. Factors that can cause intestinal infections include
- Consuming food prepared with poorly cleaned hands
- Poor hygiene conditions
- Consumption of contaminated water
- Sexual contact (especially in the anus area)
What are the Complications of Dysentery?
The most common complication of dysentery, intestinal inflammation or any type of diarrhea is dehydration. In such cases, it is necessary to drink plenty of fluids. Complications can be severe in some cases, but in most cases they are mild. However, they can affect young children or babies especially severely and can be life-threatening.
It can also cause severely low potassium levels that can cause life-threatening heartbeat changes, seizures such as tremors, kidney damage and kidney failure.
How to prevent dysentery?
Because dysentery can spread through poor hygiene, frequent hand washing with antibacterial soap can help minimize the risk of contracting the disease. Particular attention should be paid to hand washing before preparing food, after using the toilet, changing diapers and after contact with an infected person. Here are some things to consider and do to reduce or prevent the risk of infection:
- Teach children the importance of proper hand washing and how to do it
- Avoid swallowing water in swimming pools or other recreational swimming areas
- Drink purified and clean water
- Fruits and vegetables should be consumed fresh and washed carefully before eating and cooking
- Stay away from infected people
How is dysentery diagnosed?
In the process of dysentery diagnosis , the specialist first asks a number of questions to find out the complaints and symptoms experienced by the patient. Afterwards, the patient's travel and medical history is learned and the patient is physically examined.
A stool sample may be requested from people who have recently returned from hot climates and regions with poor hygiene conditions. Depending on the laboratory results of the stool sample, it is determined whether the inflammation is caused by Shigella or Entamoeba histolytica infection.
In addition, diagnostic imaging techniques such as ultrasound or endoscopy can be applied in cases where bleeding and severe diarrhea symptoms are observed. As a result of imaging, it can be determined whether there is any perforation in the internal mucosal tissue.
How is dysentery treated?
The treatment of dysentery may vary depending on what causes the infection. After a definitive diagnosis is made by specialist doctors, the necessary treatment is planned. In non-severe cases, no treatment is usually needed and recovery occurs on its own.
In some cases, severe diarrhea and vomiting may occur. In such cases, plenty of fluids should be consumed to prevent dehydration. In cases where patients are unable to consume fluids, intravenous treatment, i.e. the administration of fluids directly into the vein, may be necessary. This treatment aims to replenish body fluids, the patient is given the necessary serum and the patient is observed.