- Dysentery symptoms
- Difference between diarrhea and dysentery
- How the diagnosis is made
- Treatment for dysentery
Dysentery is characterized by an increase in the number and frequency of bowel movements, a change in the consistency of stools and the presence of mucus or blood in the stools, which is usually associated with abdominal pain and cramps, and is usually indicative of damage to the intestinal mucosa.
Most of the time dysentery is related to bacterial infections, mainly by Shigella spp ., Campylobacter spp ., And Escherichia coli , however it is also possible to observe dysentery in infections caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica , especially when the parasitic load is high.
Dysentery symptoms
The main symptom of dysentery is the presence of blood and mucus in the stool, as it is indicative of damage to the intestinal mucosa. In addition to the presence of blood in the stool, other symptoms can be noticed, such as:
- Increased frequency of bowel movements; Soft stools; Nausea and vomiting, which may contain blood; Tiredness; Dehydration; Lack of appetite.
In dysentery, diarrhea can be severe or last for many days, with a higher risk of dehydration, which can be severe, so people with these symptoms should quickly seek medical help and drink at least 2 liters of water and oral rehydration serum for day.
In addition, if dysentery symptoms are perceived, it is important that treatment be started immediately afterwards to prevent complications other than dehydration, such as intestinal bleeding and malnutrition.
Difference between diarrhea and dysentery
Dysentery can be considered a diarrhea in which mucus or blood can be seen, especially in the stool. So, as a consequence of an intestinal infection, if the presence of blood in the stool is observed, it is considered by the doctor that the person has dysentery and not diarrhea.
In addition to being able to be differentiated by the absence or presence of blood in the stool, which is what happens in dysentery, these two situations can also be differentiated according to the causes. Diarrhea is mainly related to the consumption of food contaminated by viruses or bacteria, mainly Norovirus and Salmonella spp ., While dysentery is mainly caused by bacteria like Shigella spp . and Campylobacter spp . . Know the main types of diarrhea and what to do.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of dysentery is made by the general practitioner, pediatrician or gastroenterologist through the evaluation of the symptoms described by the person and through the examination of feces. It is usually requested to perform the parasitological examination of feces, in order to identify the presence of intestinal parasites, such as Entamoeba histolytica and, thus, diagnose amoebic dysentery.
In addition to the stool parasitology, it is recommended to perform co-culture followed by an antibiogram, in which the stool is processed in the laboratory and a sample is incubated to check the growth of bacteria. After bacterial growth, the bacteria responsible for dysentery are identified, as well as their sensitivity and resistance to antibiotics, and this information is important for the doctor to indicate the most appropriate treatment.
Treatment for dysentery
It is important that the treatment of dysentery be started as soon as the diagnosis is made, preferably as soon as the first symptoms appear, to avoid complications such as dehydration, malnutrition, liver abscess or toxic megacolon, for example.
The treatment for dysentery consists of replacing all the water lost through feces and vomiting, with liquids such as water, juices, teas and coconut water, for example, in addition to oral rehydration serum. In addition, food should be light, easily digestible and with plenty of fluids, such as cooked vegetables, vegetable soup, gelatin and fruits, for example.
Depending on the cause of dysentery, the doctor may also recommend the use of antimicrobials such as Ciprofloxacin, Sulfametoxazol-Trimetoprim or Metronidazole, for example. The use of drugs to stop diarrhea, such as Loperamide, is not indicated and should only be used under medical advice. Check out more options of remedies and natural treatments for diarrhea to pass faster.
