What is dysentery? Symptoms and Treatment

The question 'What is dysentery?' is a frequently asked question. Dysentery is a common disease in society. Dysentery is an intestinal infection that causes bloody or mucous diarrhea. It is usually caused by a bacteria or parasite. The most common cause is infection with Shigella species. Dysentery is highly contagious and can lead to epidemics if necessary precautions are not taken. Although the disease is usually mild, the loss of fluid in the body due to diarrhea can reach a life-threatening level. The treatment of dysentery depends on the microorganism causing the infection and the severity of the symptoms in the patient. It is of great importance to comply with the general hygiene rules in preventing the spread of dysentery.

What is Dysentery Disease?

Dysentery is a disease that develops with infection and inflammation (inflammation) of the intestines, although it is mostly the large intestine. Basically, there are two different types of dysentery. The most common type, bacillary dysentery, is caused by infection with one of the Shigella species. Even the entry of about 10 Shigella bacteria into the body is sufficient for the development of the disease. Bacteria into the body; In areas where water and food cleanliness cannot be provided, it is ingested through the consumption of contaminated food. The other type of dysentery, amoebic dysentery, occurs when a parasite called Entamoeba Histolytica infects the intestine. Amoebic dysentery is a rarer condition and is generally seen in local areas with poor sanitation conditions.
The symptoms of dysentery are generally similar in bacillus and amoebic types, but some differences can be observed between the two types. While the symptoms may be severe in some people, there may be no symptoms in some people. Symptoms in bacillary dysentery generally begin 1-3 days after the bacteria is taken into the body. This period may vary from person to person.
Common symptoms in bacillary dysentery:

• Diarrhea accompanying abdominal cramps
• Fever that rises rapidly above 38℃
• Nausea and vomiting
• It can count as diarrhea with blood or mucus.

Amoebic dysentery usually causes no symptoms. Symptoms of the disease appear 2-4 weeks after amoeba ingestion. Common in amoebic dysentery symptoms:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps
• Weight loss
• Fever.

Although rare, amoebic dysentery leads to the formation of liver abscess, which is characterized by the collection of pus in the liver. In this case, in addition to the above symptoms, it may cause serious symptoms such as pain in the upper right part of the abdomen and swelling in the liver. Dysentery can cause complications in some cases. Complications of dysentery:

• Post-infection arthritis: After infection with Shigella species, joint pain, eye irritation and painful urination, joint inflammation may occur.
• Transfer of infection to blood: Bacteria causing dysentery, it can cause a serious infection picture that spreads throughout the body by mixing with the blood. It is a condition especially seen in people with weakened immune systems.
• Seizures: It is a condition especially seen in young children. The reason is not fully understood. It usually resolves without the need for treatment.
• Hemolytic uremic syndrome: It is seen as a result of the Shigella species that causes dysentery, secreting toxins that cause the destruction of red blood cells.

Why Dysentery Causes and How Dysentery Is Transmitted?

Amoebic and bacillary dysentery is frequently seen in areas where cleaning infrastructure is not good. Contact of a person with the disease with a healthy person also causes the disease to spread rapidly. In the formation and spread of dysentery; · Consuming contaminated food and beverages · Not paying attention to hand hygiene of the infected person · Swimming in contaminated water sources such as pools and lakes · Physical contact with an infected person is effective. Children are in a higher risk group for bacillary dysentery. The disease can occur in people of all ages. Bacillary dysentery can be easily spread through the consumption of contaminated food and contact with an infected person. The disease can be transmitted to many people, especially in places such as nursing homes, nurseries, and schools. Amoebic dysentery is spread mainly through the consumption of contaminated food and the use of contaminated water. It can cause local epidemics in areas with low hygiene standards. Amoebic dysentery in children can spread rapidly as they come into close contact with each other. That's why dysentery Children showing symptoms not going to school and not having close contact with their siblings can prevent the spread of infection. Especially in children and infants, dysentery can lead to excessive fluid loss through vomiting and diarrhea. This fluid loss may not be easily tolerated by the younger age group. For this reason, it would be beneficial to take children with dysentery symptoms to the nearest health institution.
Doctor to diagnose dysentery; It questions the duration and form of diarrhea and vomiting, the foods consumed in the last days, the history of eating out, the history of swimming in places such as pools or lakes, the history of travel to the province or abroad. The answers to these questions are of great importance in diagnosing the disease. Stool test may be requested to determine the factor causing dysentery. With stool test, it is understood whether the factor causing the disease is bacteria or virus and a treatment plan is made for this. Dysentery treatment is done according to whether the disease is bacillary or amoebic type. will suffice. The fluid lost from the body due to illness leads to severe dehydration. For this reason, as in other types of diarrhea, compensation of fluid loss by drinking plenty of fluids is an important component of treatment in bacillary dysentery. In cases where the symptoms are mild and recommendations such as fluid consumption and rest are applied, the recovery period for dysentery is usually 1 week. In this process, the disease may disappear without the need for medication. But if symptoms are severe, antibiotics may be needed. Healing is achieved with antibiotic treatment given by the doctor for Shigella species.
Anti-diarrheal medication should not be used in bacillary dysentery. Preventing diarrhea causes the bacteria that cause dysentery to stay in the intestine for a longer time and can worsen the disease. Treatment of amoebic dysentery aims to eliminate the parasite that causes the disease. Using the drugs given for this purpose for about 10 days ensures the destruction of the parasite. drugs or In addition, taking plenty of fluids and resting for a sufficient period of time are also important in the treatment of this disease. Conditions such as excessive thirst, dryness in the mouth, collapse in the eyes, and no tears when crying in babies can be an indication of dehydration. In case of one or more of these symptoms in a person with dysentery, it is necessary to apply to the nearest health institution. There are steps recommended for the person with dysentery to prevent the disease from infecting healthy people:

• After the toilet, wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Washing
• Not returning to school, office, workplace within 48 hours after the disappearance of dysentery symptoms
• Minimizing contact with other people in the workplace if one has to go to work during dysentery
• Not preparing food, swimming, or having sexual intercourse within 48 hours of the disappearance of symptoms
• Staying away from other people until symptoms improve
• Washing dirty clothes, linens, towels on the hottest program possible
• Frequent disinfection of toilets and fountains in the bathroom is one of these practices.

Dysentery is a condition that usually resolves itself, but it can also lead to serious consequences. It can cause problems due to fluid loss, especially in children and elderly patients. In cases where dysentery symptoms are severe or do not improve within a few days, the nearest health institution should be consulted. You can use the contact form on our website to reach us.

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