What Is Dysentery?

Dysentery is a broad term for infectious gastrointestinal disorders characterized by inflammation of the intestines, most notably the colon. Dysentery is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as any episode of diarrhea in which blood is present in loose, watery stools. Dysentery is transmitted to humans through tainted food and water. Once infected, the infectious organism lives in the intestines and is passed in the infected person’s stool. Animals can become infected with some infections and spread the disease to humans.

Dysentery symptoms can last for five to seven days, or even longer. The course of the illness, as well as the symptoms, vary from person to person. Some people with dysentery experience mild symptoms, while others experience severe diarrhea with or without vomiting, which can lead to dehydration. Fortunately, antibiotics and antiparasitic medications can be used to treat dysentery.

Types of Dysentery

Bacillary dysentery, caused by bacteria, and amebic dysentery, caused by amoebas, are the two most common types.

Bacillary Dysentery

Bacilli of the genus Shigella cause bacillary dysentery, also known as shigellosis. Symptomatically, the disease ranges from a mild attack to a severe course that begins suddenly and ends in death due to dehydration and bacterial toxin poisoning. The disease manifests itself abruptly after a one to six-day incubation period, with fever and frequent production of watery stools that may contain blood. Vomiting is also possible, and dehydration becomes apparent quickly as a result of the excessive loss of bodily fluids. Chronic ulceration of the large intestine causes bloody stools in the advanced stages of the disease.

Amebic Dysentery

The protozoan Entamoeba histolytica causes amebic dysentery, also known as intestinal
amebiasis. This type of dysentery, which is more common in the tropics, is usually much more chronic and insidious than bacillary disease and is more difficult to treat because the causative organism exists in two forms, motile and cystic, each of which causes a different disease course. The motile form causes acute dysentery with symptoms similar to bacillary dysentery. The cyst form causes a chronic illness characterized by bouts of diarrhea and abdominal pain. Some patients have bloody stools. The chronic type is the more common of the two, and it is characterized by remissions and exacerbations of symptoms. The chronic form can also cause ulcers in the large intestine and infection pockets in the liver. Drugs that specifically kill the amebic parasites that thrive in the intestines are used to treat both types of amebic dysentery.

Causes of Dysentery

The most common causes of dysentery are the bacteria Shigella and E coli, as well as the amoeba Entamoeba histolytica. These organisms can be found in the feces (stool) of infected humans and animals. Dysentery is most commonly caused by drinking contaminated water or eating food contaminated with pathogen-containing feces. Swimming in tainted water can also cause dysentery. As a result, dysentery is most common in people traveling to developing countries and in children who come into contact with infected human or animal feces without washing their hands properly.

Symptoms of Dysentery

Dysentery causes intestine irritation and inflammation, which can result in a variety of
symptoms. The severity of the symptoms varies from individual to individual. The most common symptoms of dysentery are related to digestive system disturbances and
include:

• Bloating in the abdomen
• Pain in the abdomen
• Diarrhea with blood (may also be watery or with mucus)
• Cramping
• Flatulence
• Vomiting or nausea with nauseaOther symptoms, such as dehydration, may appear as the dysentery infection progresses:
• Urine output is reduced
• Mucous membranes and dry skin (such as dry mouth)
• Getting extremely thirsty.
• Chills and a fever
• Cramping of the muscles
• Weakness of the muscles

Severe Symptoms of Dysentery

On rare occasions, dysentery-induced dehydration can be so severe that a life-threatening
situation develops. If you or someone you’re with has any of the following symptoms, seek
immediate medical attention:

• Changes in consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or becoming unresponsive
• Confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations, and delusions are all symptoms of a change
  in mental status or a sudden change in behavior.
• A fever is present (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Extensive abdominal pain
• Severe vertigo

How to Treat Dysentery

The type of dysentery you have will determine the treatment. Your healthcare provider will
inquire about your symptoms and, if applicable, recent travel.
Shigella is self-resolving. Shigella patients can take over-the-counter medications such as Pepto Bismol, but they should avoid medications such as Imodium, which can interfere with digestion. While suffering from shigella, it is critical to get plenty of rest and stay hydrated.
Shigella may be treated with antibiotics in some cases. Unfortunately, some strains of the
bacteria are antibiotic-resistant, so your healthcare provider will have to decide whether this is an option for you.  Even if you don’t have symptoms, amebiasis often necessitates antibiotic treatment. You may require two types of antibiotics.

How Can you Prevent Dysentery?

There are two schools of thought when it comes to preventing dysentery. The first thing to be aware of is lowering one’s chances of contracting the disease in the first place. This is especially important for people traveling to areas where dysentery is prevalent.
You must be aware of what you eat and drink while traveling to tropical, developing countries to reduce your risk of contracting dysentery. Here are some of the steps to take to avoid risk:

• Only drink sealed beverages or water that has been boiled for one minute.
• Avoid drinking unopened beverages, including ice cubes.
• Eat only fresh fruits and vegetables that you have washed and peeled yourself.
• Avoid eating from street vendors, who may not have access to proper sanitation equipment.
• Use unpasteurized milk or dairy products as little as possible.

Also, take the following precautions to avoid person-to-person transmission of dysentery when someone has been diagnosed with the condition:

• Wash your hands frequently, especially after using the restroom and before cooking.
• Avoid all sex, including oral, vaginal, and anal, for at least one week after the diarrhea
  has stopped.
• Avoid swimming for at least one week after the diarrhea has subsided.

Complications of Dysentery

You can reduce your risk of serious complications by adhering to the treatment plan that you and your health care provider have created specifically for you. Dysentery complications include:

• Blood stream infections: Blood stream infections are uncommon and most commonly
  affect people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV or cancer.
• Seizures: Seizures: Generalized seizures can occur in young children. It is unclear why
  this occurs and the complication usually goes on its own.
• Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS): S.dysenteriae, a type of Shigella bacteria, can
  occasionally cause HUS by producing a toxin that destroys red blood cells.
• Postinfectious Arthritis: This affects about 2% of people who get a specific strain of
  Shigella Bacteria called S.flexneri. These individuals may experience joint pain, eye
  irritation, and painful urination. The effects of postinfectious arthritis can last for months
  or years:
• Unbalanced electrolytes
• Obstruction of the intestine
• Perforation of the intestine
• Abscess of the liver
• Urinary tract infection

Now that you Know…

Dysentery is spread by consuming food or water contaminated with the feces of a human carrier of the infective organism. Infected people who handle food with unwashed hands are frequently the source of transmission. Amebic dysentery is frequently spread by people who are carriers of the disease but do not exhibit symptoms at the time. Dysentery is common when people are crammed together and have only rudimentary sanitary facilities. Controlling the spread of the disease can be accomplished by boiling drinking water and properly disposing of human waste to avoid contamination of food.
Shigellosis patients who work with children, in food preparation, or in healthcare should stay at home until the diarrhea stops. Also, if you suspect you have dysentery, contact your healthcare provider for a diagnosis and treatment.