dysentery

Dysentery: A Gastrointestinal Infection

Dysentery is a type of gastrointestinal infection that affects the intestines, causing severe symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, fever, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.

• Symptoms: The main symptom of dysentery is diarrhoea with blood and sometimes mucus (clear slime) in it [1]. Other symptoms may include:
  • Tummy pain
  • High temperature
  • Stomach cramps
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever

Causes: Dysentery can be caused by a bacterial or parasitic infection, often contracted through contaminated food or water [3][7]. It is sometimes known as traveler's diarrhea.

• Types of dysentery: There are different types of dysentery, including:
  • Bacillary dysentery: caused by bacterial infection
  • Amoebic dysentery: caused by parasitic infection

Important note: If you experience any symptoms of dysentery, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly.

References:

[1] - The main symptom of dysentery is diarrhoea with blood and sometimes mucus (clear slime) in it. You may also have: tummy pain; a high temperature. [3] - Dysentery is an infection in your intestines that causes bloody diarrhea. It can be caused by a parasite or bacteria. [7] - Dysentery is a gastrointestinal infection that causes bloody diarrhea. It is caused by bacteria or parasites in contaminated food or water

Dysentery Signs and Symptoms

Dysentery, an intestinal infection, can cause severe diarrhea for up to a week [1]. The main symptom of dysentery is diarrhoea with blood and sometimes mucus (clear slime) in it [7]. You may also have:

• Tummy pain
• A high temperature
• Feeling the need to pass stool (urgency)

In addition, symptoms can include:

• Diarrhea containing blood or mucus [2]
• Stomach cramps [3][5]
• Nausea and vomiting [3][5]
• Fever [2][3][5]

Complications of severe disease can include extreme inflammation, dilation (widening) of the large intestine, and acute kidney failure [5].

In rare cases, the parasite may travel to another part of the body and lead to an abscess [9]. Signs of dehydration, which can occur if not treated, include an extremely dry mouth, sunken eyes, and poor skin tone [12].

It's essential to seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms, as prompt treatment is crucial in preventing complications.

Diagnostic Tests for Dysentery

Dysentery, an intestinal infection that causes diarrhea containing blood or mucus, can be diagnosed through various tests.

• Stool Culture: A stool culture is a common test used to diagnose dysentery. It involves collecting a sample of your stool and sending it to a laboratory for analysis [1].
• Blood Tests: Blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), measurement of electrolytes, and kidney function tests, can help indicate the severity of diarrhea and may be ordered by your healthcare provider [3].
• Stool Test: A stool test is used to examine a sample of your stool under a microscope to see if you have dysentery and what type it is [2].
• Endoscopy: In some cases, an endoscopy may be performed to visually examine the inside of your intestines for any signs of infection or inflammation [4].

Additional Tests

Your healthcare provider may also perform additional tests to determine whether an antibiotic will be effective in treating your dysentery. These tests may include:

• Blood Test: A blood test can help identify if you have a bacterial infection, which is often the cause of dysentery [6].
• Stool Sample Analysis: Analyzing a stool sample under a microscope can also help diagnose dysentery and determine what type it is [2].

Physical Examination

A physical examination by your healthcare provider will also be performed to assess your overall health and symptoms. This may include examining any exudates found in stool for leukocytes, which can suggest colitis (80% positive predictive value) [8].

Treatment Options for Dysentery

Dysentery, a type of bacterial infection that causes diarrhea and abdominal pain, can be treated with various medications. The choice of treatment depends on the underlying cause of the infection.

• Amebic Dysentery: This type of dysentery is caused by a parasite and is typically treated with antibiotics such as metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax). These drugs kill the parasites and are usually effective in reducing symptoms [1].
• Bacterial Dysentery: This type of dysentery is caused by bacteria, such as Shigella or E. coli. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends treating clinically diagnosed cases with ciprofloxacin as first-line treatment [4]. Other antibiotics, such as ceftriaxone and pivmecillinam, may also be effective in reducing symptoms [2].
• Combination Therapy: In some cases, a combination of medications may be used to treat dysentery. For example, metronidazole and tinidazole may be used together to kill the parasites causing amebic dysentery [5].

Important Considerations

It's essential to note that people with bloody diarrhea should not use anti-diarrheal medicines, such as loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil), as these can worsen the condition [8]. Additionally, antibiotics should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

References

[1] Context result 1: Amebic dysentery is treated with metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax).

[2] Context result 2: The antibiotics recommended by the WHO—ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone and pivmecillinam—are effective in reducing the clinical and bacteriological signs of dysentery.

[3] Context result 3: Previously effective agents (including nalidixic acid, amoxicillin and co-trimoxazole) have been removed from the WHO guidelines on dysentery because of resistance.

[4] Context result 4: The WHO now recommends that clinically diagnosed cases of Shigella dysentery be treated with ciprofloxacin as first line treatment.

[5] Context result 5: Medication may include a combination of metronidazole and tinidazole. In rare cases, people can develop complications of amebic dysentery, such as intestinal obstruction or perforation.

[6] Context result 6: Medicine with bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) may ease symptoms like belly cramps and diarrhea.

[7] Context result 7: Presently, azithromycin is the preferred first-line antibiotic for the treatment of acute watery diarrhea (single dose 500 mg), as well as for the treatment of Shigella infections.

[8] Context result 8: People with bloody diarrhea should not use anti-diarrheal medicines, such as loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil).

Differential Diagnosis of Dysentery

Dysentery, also known as bloody diarrhea or intestinal inflammation, can be caused by various factors. The differential diagnosis of dysentery involves identifying the underlying causes of the condition.

Possible Causes:

• Infections: Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), Salmonella, Yersinia, and Shiga-Kruse bacillus are some of the bacterial infections that can cause dysentery [7].
• Amebiasis: A parasitic infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica can also lead to dysentery [4].
• Bacterial Gastroenteritis: Certain bacteria such as Campylobacter and Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile can cause bacterial gastroenteritis, which may present with symptoms similar to dysentery [2].
• Other Conditions: Appendicitis, carcinoid tumor, giardiasis, glucose-galactose malabsorption, and intestinal enterokinase deficiency are some of the other conditions that may be considered in the differential diagnosis of dysentery [3].

Key Points:

• Dysentery is a condition characterized by bloody and mucoid stools, abdominal pain, and severe diarrhea.
• The differential diagnosis of dysentery involves identifying the underlying causes of the condition.
• Infections, amebiasis, bacterial gastroenteritis, and other conditions are some of the possible causes of dysentery.

References:

[1] Context 4 [2] Context 5 [3] Context 7