Dysentery is characterized by an increase in the number and frequency of stool, a change in stool consistency and the presence of mucus or blood in the stool, which is usually associated with abdominal pain and cramps, and usually indicates damage to the intestinal lining.
Most of the time, dysentery is linked to bacterial infections, mainly by Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp. And Escherichia coli, but it is also possible to observe dysentery in infections caused by the protozoa Entamoeba histolytica, especially when the parasitic load is high.
- The main symptom of dysentery is the presence of blood and mucus in the stool.
- As it indicates an injury to the intestinal lining.
- In addition to the presence of blood in your stool.
- You may notice other symptoms.
- Such as:.
In dysentery, diarrhea can be severe or last for several days, with an increased risk of dehydration, which can be severe, so people with these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention and drink at least 2 liters of water and oral rehydration serum during the day. .
In addition, if symptoms of dysentery are found, it is important that treatment is started a short time later to avoid complications other than dehydration, such as intestinal bleeding and malnutrition.
Dysentery may be considered diarrhea in which snot or blood can be seen, especially in the stool. Thus, after an intestinal infection, if blood is observed in the stool, the doctor considers that the person has dysentery and not diarrhea.
In addition to being able to differentiate by the absence or presence of blood in the stool, which occurs in dysentery, these two situations can also be differentiated according to the causes. Diarrhoea is mainly related to the consumption of food contaminated with viruses or bacteria, mainly Norovirus and Salmonella spp., while dysentery is mainly caused by bacteria such as Shigella spp. and Campylobacter spp.. Learn about the main types of diarrhea and what to do.
The diagnosis of dysentery is made by the family doctor, pediatrician or gastroenterologist by evaluating the symptoms described by the person and by examining the stool. A parasitological examination of the stool is usually requested to identify the presence of intestinal parasites, such as Entamoeba histolytica, to diagnose amoebic dysentery.
In addition to stool parasitology, coculture followed by an antibiotic is recommended, in which stool is treated in the laboratory and a sample is incubated to check the growth of bacteria. After bacterial growth, the bacteria responsible for dysentery, as well as their sensitivity and resistance to antibiotics, are identified, and this information is important for the doctor to indicate the most appropriate treatment.
It is important that the treatment of dysentery is started at the time of diagnosis, preferably as soon as the first symptoms appear, to avoid complications such as dehydration, malnutrition, liver abscess or toxic megacolon, for example.
Treatment of dysentery involves replenishing all water lost by faeces and vomiting from liquids such as water, juices, teas and coconut water, for example, in addition to oral rehydration serum. In addition, foods should be light, easy to digest and contain many liquids, such as cooked vegetables, vegetable soup, gelatin and fruits, for example.
Depending on the cause of dysentery, your doctor may also recommend the use of antimicrobials such as ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethole or metronidazole, for example. The use of medicines to stop diarrhea, such as loperamide, is not indicated and should only be used on medical advice. Learn more about natural remedies and treatments to speed diarrhea.