Dysentery is an intestinal infection that causes diarrhea with blood, mucus or pus, as well as symptoms such as abdominal pain and cramps, fever, nausea or vomiting, which can lead to dehydration.
Dysentery is caused by infections caused by bacteria or parasites, transmitted through accidental ingestion of food or water contaminated with feces, poor hand hygiene or traveling to regions that do not have adequate basic sanitation.
Regardless of the cause, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist, general practitioner or pediatrician as soon as symptoms appear to initiate the most appropriate treatment and prevent complications, especially dehydration.
Dysentery symptoms
The main symptom of dysentery is the presence of blood and mucus in the stool, however other signs and symptoms are usually observed, such as:
- High fever, above 38ºC, which starts suddenly;
- Diarrhea with blood, mucus or pus;
- Urgency to defecate;
- Nausea and vomiting, which may contain blood;
- Abdominal pain or cramps;
- Intense tiredness;
- Headache;
- Lack of appetite.
In dysentery, as the frequency of bowel movements is greater and vomiting can also occur, there is a great risk of dehydration, which can be serious. Know how to identify the symptoms of dehydration.
Therefore, as soon as symptoms indicative of dysentery are noticed, it is important that a gastroenterologist, pediatrician or general practitioner is consulted, as well as drinking at least 2 liters of water per day and using oral rehydration serum.
It is important that treatment is started immediately to prevent complications other than dehydration, such as intestinal bleeding and malnutrition.
What is the difference between diarrhea and dysentery?
Although in both situations an increase in the number of bowel movements per day and a change in the consistency of the stool can be observed, in dysentery it is possible to observe the presence of mucus and blood in the stool, which does not happen in the case of diarrhea.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of dysentery is made by a gastroenterologist, general practitioner or pediatrician in the case of children, through evaluation of symptoms, health history and recent travel. and carrying out a fecal examination with the aim of identifying .
If you have symptoms of dysentery, make an appointment with a gastroenterologist in the nearest region:
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To confirm the diagnosis and identify the causative agent of dysentery, the doctor must request a parasitological stool test, which aims to identify parasite eggs or cysts, or a stool culture test followed by an antibiogram when dysentery caused by bacteria is suspected.
Thus, in the stool culture test, the feces are processed in the laboratory to identify the bacteria and then tests are carried out to verify the resistance and sensitivity profile of this bacteria to antibiotics. Find out more about the stool culture exam.
Possible causes
Dysentery is caused by bacteria or parasites transmitted via the oral-fecal route, reaching the gastrointestinal system and causing irritation to the mucosa, which results in symptoms.
The main forms of transmission of bacteria or parasites that cause dysentery are:
- I consume contaminated foods;
- Consumption of contaminated water or other drinks;
- Not washing your hands before and after going to the bathroom, or changing diapers for babies with dysentery;
- Swimming in contaminated water, such as swimming pools or lakes;
- Living or traveling to regions that do not have adequate basic sanitation;
- Intimate contact, especially anal.
Although the most common cause of dysentery is infection, it can also occur due to prolonged use of some medications that can damage the intestinal mucosa, in which case it is recommended that the doctor be consulted so that the medication can be suspended or changed.
Types of dysentery
Dysentery can be classified into two types according to the type of infection, and includes:
1. Bacterial dysentery
Bacterial dysentery is the most common type, caused by bacteria such as Shigella spp., Salmonella sp., Campylobacter spp., or Escherichia coli.
In the case of bacterial infection Shigella spp, can also be called bacillary dysentery or shigellosis, and symptoms usually appear about 1 to 2 days after infection, lasting about 5 to 7 days. Understand better what shigellosis is.
2. Amoebic dysentery
Amoebic dysentery or amoebic dysentery is caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolyticawhich can also contaminate water and food and cause diarrhea when the parasite load is very high.
This type of dysentery is also known as amoebiasis, and symptoms usually appear between 2 and 5 weeks after infection with the protozoan. Learn more about amoebiasis.
How the treatment is carried out
Dysentery treatment should be started as soon as the diagnosis is made by a gastroenterologist, general practitioner or pediatrician, and preferably as soon as the first symptoms appear, to avoid complications such as dehydration, malnutrition, liver abscess or toxic megacolon, for example. .
Thus, the doctor may recommend oral hydration, with liquids such as water, juices, teas and coconut water, for example, in addition to homemade serum or oral rehydration serums. In cases of severe dehydration, treatment is carried out in the hospital with serum and electrolytes applied directly to the vein.
Furthermore, the diet should consist of light foods that are easy to digest and contain plenty of liquids, such as cooked vegetables, vegetable soup, gelatin and fruits, for example. Find out what nutrition should be like for diarrhea.
In cases of bacterial dysentery, the doctor may recommend the use of antibiotics to combat the bacteria, or antiparasitics in the case of amoebic dysentery.
