Dysentery | Causes, symptoms, treatment

Dysentery

Dysentery, infectious disease characterized by inflammation of the intestine, abdominal pain, and diarrhea with stools that often contain blood and mucus. Dysentery is a significant cause of illness and death in young children, particularly those who live in less-developed countries. Each year worldwide, there are between 120 million and 165 million cases of Shigella infection, of which 1 million are fatal. Over 60 percent of these fatalities are children under 5 years old in developing countries.

What are the Symptoms of dysentery?

The main symptom of dysentery is frequent near-liquid diarrhea flecked with blood, mucus, or pus. Other symptoms include:

·         sudden onset of high fever and chills

·         abdominal pain

·         cramps and bloating

·         flatulence (passing gas)

·         urgency to pass stool

·         feeling of incomplete emptying

·         loss of appetite

·         weight loss

·         headache

·         fatigue

·         vomiting

·         dehydration

Other symptoms may be intermittent and may include recurring low fevers, abdominal cramps, increased gas, and milder and firmer diarrhea. You may feel weak and anemic, or lose weight over a prolonged period (emaciation). Mild cases of bacillary dysentery may last 4 to 8 days, while severe cases may last 3 to 6 weeks. Amoebiasis usually lasts about 2 weeks.

What are the Cause of dysentery?

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies two main types of dysentery.

Bacillary dysentery, or shigellosis

This type produces the most intense symptoms. It is caused by the Shigellabacillus. Poor hygiene is the main source. Shigellosis can also spread because of tainted food. In Western Europe and the U.S., it is the most common type of dysentery in people who have not visited the tropics shortly before infection.

Amoebic dysentery, or amoebiasis

This type is caused by Entamoeba histolytica(E. histolytica), an amoeba. The amoebae group together to form a cyst, and these cysts emerge from the body in human feces. In areas of poor sanitation, the amoebae can contaminate food and water and infections of other people, because they can live long for long periods outside the body. They can also linger on people’s hands after using the bathroom. Good hygiene practice reduces the risk of spreading infection. It is more common in the tropics, but it sometimes occurs in parts of rural Canada.

Other causes

Other causes include a parasitic worm infection, chemical irritation, or viral infection.

What are the Complications in our body?

·       The Complications of dysentery following below-

·         Dehydration:

    Frequent diarrhea and vomiting can quickly lead to dehydration. In infants and young children, this can quickly become life-threatening.

·         Liver abscess:

       If amoebae spread to the liver, an abscess can form there.

·         Postinfectious arthritis:

       Joint pain may occur following the infection.

·        Hemolytic uremic syndrome:

     Shigella dysenteriaecan cause the red blood cells to block the entrance to the kidneys. And leading to anemia, low platelet count, and kidney failure.

·         Patients have also experienced seizures after infection.

Diagnosis of dysentery

The doctor will ask the patient about their signs and symptoms and carry out a physical examination. A stool sample may be requested, especially if the patient recently returned from the tropics. If symptoms severes, diagnostic imaging may be recommended. This could be an ultrasound scan or an endoscopy.

How to Treatment of this disease?

Dysentery manages maintaining fluids by using oral rehydration therapy. If this treatment cannot be adequately maintained due to vomiting or the profuseness of diarrhea. Hospital admission may requires for intravenous fluid replacement. In ideal situations, no antimicrobial therapy should be administered, until microbiological microscopy and culture studies have established the specific infection involved. When laboratory services are not available, it may necessary to administer a combination of drugs. Including an amoebicidal drug to kill the parasite, and an antibiotic to treat any associated bacterial infection.

If shigellosis suspectes and it is not too severe. Letting it run its course may be reasonable — usually less than a week. If the case severes, antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin or TMP-SMX may be useful. However, many strains of Shigella are becoming resistant to common antibiotics, and effective medications are often in short supply in developing countries. If necessary, a doctor who preserves antibiotics for the maximum risk of death. Including young children, people over 50, and anyone suffering from dehydration or malnutrition. Amoebic dysentery treats with two antimicrobial drug such as metronidazole and paromomycin or iodoquinol.

How to Prevent of dysentery?

·        Dysentery mostly stems from poor hygiene.

·       To reduce the risk of infection, people should wash their hands regularly with soap and water. Especially before and after using the bathroom and preparing food.

·       This can reduce the thickness of Shigella infections and other types of diarrhea by up to 35 percent.

·       Other steps to take when the risk is higher, for example, when traveling.

·       Only drink reliably sourced water, such as bottled water

·       Watch the bottle being opened, and

     clean the top of the rim before drinking

·      Make sure food is thoroughly cooked

·      It best uses of purified water to clean the teeth, and avoid ice cubes, as the source of the water may be unknown.

·      Always use a condom for any sexual activity involving anal contact and wash carefully before and after sexual activity.

·      Do not eat any foods cooked in unhygienic circumstances, such as from street vendors.