Dysentery is the Infection of the intestines resulting in severe Diarrhea with the presence of blood and mucus in the fecal material.
Types of Dysentery
There are 2 main types of Dysentery which are:
- Bacillary Dysentery or Shigellosis, caused by a Bacteria called Shigella.
- Amoebic Dysentery or Amoebiasis, caused by an amoeba called Entamoeba Histolytica.
Risk factors of Dysentery
The risk factors that can cause Dysentery are:
- Age.
- Lack of Immunity.
- Malnutrition.
- Poor sanitary conditions.
- Measles.
- Travel to endemic areas.
- Lack of Breast feeding.
- Poor Maternal Education.
Symptoms of Dysentery
Some typical sign and symptoms of dysentery include:
- Diarrhea.
- Blood and Mucus in stool.
- Fever.
- Anemia.
- Abdominal Cramps.
- Abdominal bloating.
- Weight loss.
- Dehydration.
Causes of Dysentery
Some important causes of dysentery are:
- Bacterial infection, by shigella.
- Protozoal infection, by Entamoeba Histolytica.
Diagnosis of Dysentery
The main Lab Test for the diagnosis of Dysentery is stool DR. Taking a sample of your stool to be tested in a laboratory for the presence of shigella bacteria, Entamoeba Histolytica or their toxins.
