Dysentery is an intestinal infection that causes bloody diarrhoea in patients. It can be caused by both bacteria and parasites. You can get this infection if someone who has dysentery has made food that you have eaten. You can also get dysentery from contaminated surfaces. This is often a very contagious illness, and outbreak controls might need to be put in place if you or someone you know has contracted it.
Symptoms often show up within 1-3 days of infection. Some people might not show symptoms for years, if at all. Each kind of dysentery has its own unique symptoms.
Bacillary dysentery:
Amoebic dysentery is less likely to cause symptoms during the early stages of infections. Symptoms typically show up about 2-4 weeks after infection. These include:
Amoebic dysentery can also lead to complications like liver abscesses or high fever. Weight loss is more common in amoebic dysentery as well.
Dysentery can be caused by a bacteria called Shigella, or by an amoeba called entamoeba histolytica. You can get dysentery from food that has been prepared by someone who has a dysentery infection. You can also contract it from swimming in contaminated lakes or pools. If dysentery bacteria or amoebas have been left on a surface, you might pick them up with your hands and infect yourself after touching the surface.
Some people do not show any symptoms when they are infected. This means that they can spread the infection to many people before the source is identified. Some people don’t have symptoms for weeks or months, or even years before beginning to display health problems related to their dysentery infection.
The risk factors for dysentery are:
Dysentery is usually diagnosed by a faecal sample. This sample will be looked at under a microscope to see if there are dysentery bacteria or amoeba present in the stool of the patient. This is the only way to identify carriers in most cases. Since dysentery can present like many other forms of stomach ailments, it is important that a sample is looked at before making a diagnosis.
Treatment of dysentery depends upon the kind of dysentery that you have. Bacillary dysentery is usually allowed to run its course. It typically takes a week for this kind of dysentery to clear up on its own. You can drink plenty of water, get lots of rest, and make sure to drink sports drinks or other kinds of water that have electrolytes in them to stave off dehydration.
Belly cramps can be eased with medicine that contains bismuth subsalicylate. This will also help manage diarrhoea and vomiting. Do not take medicines like Imodium unless your doctor recommends it as these medications can actually make dysentery worse.
Amoebic dysentery is treated with medications like iodoquinol, which kill amoebas. These medications usually are offered as a ten-day course. If your dysentery does not improve by the end of your course of treatment, you will need to see your doctor again. Amoebic dysentery patients who have symptoms can also take medications like Pepto-Bismol to manage gastric discomfort, and they will also need to stay hydrated and rest as their body heals.
Prevention of dysentery includes being sure that you are drinking clean water that has not been contaminated with faecal matter. Wash fruits and vegetables very carefully before you eat them. Be sure that you do not order drinks with ice in them if you are not sure about the safety of the water used to make the ice. Avoid eating food that has been prepared by people you do not know.
If you live with someone who has dysentery, do not allow them to prepare food and be sure that everyone in the home washes their hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating. If you do not have access to soap and water, you will need to be sure that you use hand sanitizer. Also be sure that you do not share cups, towels, or other items with someone who has dysentery until their infection has been cleared.