Dysentery: Difference between revisions
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Dysentery is a severe intestinal infection, causing abdominal pain and diarrhea with blood or mucus. The intestinal infection "'dysentery"' is marked by stomach pain, diarrhea with blood or mucus, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. It is often caused by [[bacteria]], [[parasites]], or [[viruses]] and, if left untreated, can result in severe dehydration and problems | {{SI}} | ||
[[File:Shigella stool.jpg|thumb|Shigella stool]] | {{Infobox medical condition | ||
| name = Dysentery | |||
| image = [[File:Dysentery_Patient,_Burma_Hospital,_Siam_Art.IWMART1541787.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = A patient with dysentery in a hospital | |||
| field = [[Infectious disease]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Diarrhea]], [[abdominal pain]], [[fever]], [[tenesmus]] | |||
| complications = [[Dehydration]], [[sepsis]], [[hemolytic uremic syndrome]] | |||
| onset = 1–3 days after exposure | |||
| duration = Typically 3–7 days | |||
| causes = [[Bacterial]] (''[[Shigella]]'', ''[[Salmonella]]'', ''[[Campylobacter]]''), [[amoebic]] (''[[Entamoeba histolytica]]'') | |||
| risks = Poor sanitation, contaminated food or water | |||
| diagnosis = [[Stool culture]], [[microscopy]] | |||
| differential = [[Inflammatory bowel disease]], [[gastroenteritis]], [[irritable bowel syndrome]] | |||
| prevention = Improved sanitation, [[hand washing]], safe food and water | |||
| treatment = [[Oral rehydration therapy]], [[antibiotics]] for bacterial causes, [[antiparasitic]] for amoebic causes | |||
| medication = [[Ciprofloxacin]], [[metronidazole]] | |||
| prognosis = Generally good with treatment | |||
| frequency = Common in developing countries | |||
}} | |||
Dysentery is a severe intestinal infection, causing abdominal pain and diarrhea with blood or mucus. The intestinal infection "'dysentery"' is marked by stomach pain, diarrhea with blood or mucus, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. It is often caused by [[bacteria]], [[parasites]], or [[viruses]] and, if left untreated, can result in severe dehydration and problems. | |||
[[File:Shigella stool.jpg|left|thumb|Shigella stool]] | |||
=== Dysentery Causes === | === Dysentery Causes === | ||
The primary infectious agents that cause dysentery are bacterial and parasitic. | The primary infectious agents that cause dysentery are bacterial and parasitic. | ||
==== Bacterial dysentery ==== | ==== Bacterial dysentery ==== | ||
[[File:Dysentery, portion of the intestine Wellcome L0061597.jpg|thumb|Dysentery, portion of the intestine Wellcome]] | [[File:Dysentery, portion of the intestine Wellcome L0061597.jpg|left|thumb|Dysentery, portion of the intestine Wellcome]] | ||
The "'[[Shigella]]"' bacteria produce [[Bacterial dysentery]], also known as "'bacillary dysentery"' or "'shigellosis"'. This kind of dysentery is more prevalent in developing nations with poor sanitation and congested living situations. | The "'[[Shigella]]"' bacteria produce [[Bacterial dysentery]], also known as "'bacillary dysentery"' or "'shigellosis"'. This kind of dysentery is more prevalent in developing nations with poor sanitation and congested living situations. | ||
==== Dysentery due to parasites ==== | ==== Dysentery due to parasites ==== | ||
[[File:Amoebic dysentery in colon biopsy (1).jpg|thumb| Amoebic dysentery in colon biopsy]] | [[File:Amoebic dysentery in colon biopsy (1).jpg|left|thumb| Amoebic dysentery in colon biopsy]] | ||
The single-celled parasite "Entamoeba histolytica" causes [[parasitic dysentery]], sometimes known as "amoebic dysentery". In tropical and subtropical locations, where the parasite is widespread, this form of dysentery is more prevalent. | The single-celled parasite "Entamoeba histolytica" causes [[parasitic dysentery]], sometimes known as "amoebic dysentery". In tropical and subtropical locations, where the parasite is widespread, this form of dysentery is more prevalent. | ||
=== Indicators === | === Indicators === | ||
Typically, the onset of dysentery symptoms occurs within one to three days after infection and can include: | Typically, the onset of dysentery symptoms occurs within one to three days after infection and can include: | ||
* Abdominal pain and cramping | * Abdominal pain and cramping | ||
* Diarrhea accompanied by blood and/or mucous | * Diarrhea accompanied by blood and/or mucous | ||
| Line 25: | Line 39: | ||
* Weight reduction | * Weight reduction | ||
Complications such as severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and organ damage can occur in extreme cases. | Complications such as severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and organ damage can occur in extreme cases. | ||
=== Diagnose === | === Diagnose === | ||
A thorough medical history and physical examination, together with laboratory tests to identify the causal agent, are required to diagnose dysentery. Collecting and analyzing stool samples for the presence of germs or parasites is possible. In addition to blood testing and imaging examinations, it may be necessary to determine the infection's severity and rule out other potential explanations of the symptoms. | A thorough medical history and physical examination, together with laboratory tests to identify the causal agent, are required to diagnose dysentery. Collecting and analyzing stool samples for the presence of germs or parasites is possible. In addition to blood testing and imaging examinations, it may be necessary to determine the infection's severity and rule out other potential explanations of the symptoms. | ||
=== Therapy === | === Therapy === | ||
Dysentery is treated differently based on the origin and severity of the infection. | Dysentery is treated differently based on the origin and severity of the infection. | ||
==== Bacterial dysentery ==== | ==== Bacterial dysentery ==== | ||
Antibiotics, such as [[ciprofloxacin]], [[azithromycin]], or [[ceftriaxone]], are commonly used to target the specific "Shigella" species causing bacterial dysentery. In addition to antibiotics, replacement of fluids and electrolytes lost due to diarrhea requires rehydration therapy. | Antibiotics, such as [[ciprofloxacin]], [[azithromycin]], or [[ceftriaxone]], are commonly used to target the specific "Shigella" species causing bacterial dysentery. In addition to antibiotics, replacement of fluids and electrolytes lost due to diarrhea requires rehydration therapy. | ||
==== Dysentery due to parasites ==== | ==== Dysentery due to parasites ==== | ||
Antiparasitic drugs, such as metronidazole or tinidazole, are used to eliminate the "Entamoeba histolytica" parasite that causes parasitic diarrhea. Similarly with bacterial dysentery, individuals with severe diarrhea require rehydration therapy. | Antiparasitic drugs, such as metronidazole or tinidazole, are used to eliminate the "Entamoeba histolytica" parasite that causes parasitic diarrhea. Similarly with bacterial dysentery, individuals with severe diarrhea require rehydration therapy. | ||
=== Prophylaxis === | === Prophylaxis === | ||
Maintaining adequate hygiene and sanitation practices is essential for preventing dysentery, especially in locations where the infection is widespread. Important preventive measures consist of: | Maintaining adequate hygiene and sanitation practices is essential for preventing dysentery, especially in locations where the infection is widespread. Important preventive measures consist of: | ||
* Hand-washing with soap and water, especially after using the restroom and prior to food preparation and consumption. | * Hand-washing with soap and water, especially after using the restroom and prior to food preparation and consumption. | ||
* Consuming only safe, treated water and avoiding raw or uncooked food as well as food prepared with polluted water can prevent illness. | * Consuming only safe, treated water and avoiding raw or uncooked food as well as food prepared with polluted water can prevent illness. | ||
Latest revision as of 19:16, 5 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Dysentery | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, tenesmus |
| Complications | Dehydration, sepsis, hemolytic uremic syndrome |
| Onset | 1–3 days after exposure |
| Duration | Typically 3–7 days |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Bacterial (Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter), amoebic (Entamoeba histolytica) |
| Risks | Poor sanitation, contaminated food or water |
| Diagnosis | Stool culture, microscopy |
| Differential diagnosis | Inflammatory bowel disease, gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome |
| Prevention | Improved sanitation, hand washing, safe food and water |
| Treatment | Oral rehydration therapy, antibiotics for bacterial causes, antiparasitic for amoebic causes |
| Medication | Ciprofloxacin, metronidazole |
| Prognosis | Generally good with treatment |
| Frequency | Common in developing countries |
| Deaths | N/A |
Dysentery is a severe intestinal infection, causing abdominal pain and diarrhea with blood or mucus. The intestinal infection "'dysentery"' is marked by stomach pain, diarrhea with blood or mucus, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. It is often caused by bacteria, parasites, or viruses and, if left untreated, can result in severe dehydration and problems.
Dysentery Causes[edit]
The primary infectious agents that cause dysentery are bacterial and parasitic.
Bacterial dysentery[edit]
The "'Shigella"' bacteria produce Bacterial dysentery, also known as "'bacillary dysentery"' or "'shigellosis"'. This kind of dysentery is more prevalent in developing nations with poor sanitation and congested living situations.
Dysentery due to parasites[edit]
.jpg)
The single-celled parasite "Entamoeba histolytica" causes parasitic dysentery, sometimes known as "amoebic dysentery". In tropical and subtropical locations, where the parasite is widespread, this form of dysentery is more prevalent.
Indicators[edit]
Typically, the onset of dysentery symptoms occurs within one to three days after infection and can include:
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Diarrhea accompanied by blood and/or mucous
- Fever
- sickness and vomiting
- Dehydration
- Fatigue
- Weight reduction
Complications such as severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and organ damage can occur in extreme cases.
Diagnose[edit]
A thorough medical history and physical examination, together with laboratory tests to identify the causal agent, are required to diagnose dysentery. Collecting and analyzing stool samples for the presence of germs or parasites is possible. In addition to blood testing and imaging examinations, it may be necessary to determine the infection's severity and rule out other potential explanations of the symptoms.
Therapy[edit]
Dysentery is treated differently based on the origin and severity of the infection.
Bacterial dysentery[edit]
Antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, or ceftriaxone, are commonly used to target the specific "Shigella" species causing bacterial dysentery. In addition to antibiotics, replacement of fluids and electrolytes lost due to diarrhea requires rehydration therapy.
Dysentery due to parasites[edit]
Antiparasitic drugs, such as metronidazole or tinidazole, are used to eliminate the "Entamoeba histolytica" parasite that causes parasitic diarrhea. Similarly with bacterial dysentery, individuals with severe diarrhea require rehydration therapy.
Prophylaxis[edit]
Maintaining adequate hygiene and sanitation practices is essential for preventing dysentery, especially in locations where the infection is widespread. Important preventive measures consist of:
- Hand-washing with soap and water, especially after using the restroom and prior to food preparation and consumption.
- Consuming only safe, treated water and avoiding raw or uncooked food as well as food prepared with polluted water can prevent illness.
- Using suitable sanitary facilities, such as well-maintained latrines, and avoiding pooping in the open
- ensuring food is completely cooked and safely stored
- Vaccination is recommended for tourists traveling high-risk locations (if applicable)
Also see[edit]
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| Parasitic disease caused by Excavata protozoa | ||||
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| Proteobacteria-associated Gram-negative bacterial infections (primarily A00–A79, 001–041, 080–109) | ||||||||||||||
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| Diseases of the human digestive system | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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