Dysentery to be precise in definition is diarrhea with blood in watery stools. It is a severe form of diarrhea. Today at Healthvim, we would be discussing about dysentery, hope you are ready for the ride??.
Dysentery is an infectious disease which has been associated with poor hygiene, it is actually an acute form of diarrhea in which the sufferer gets to see blood in his or her faeces which is usually watery this time around, now the sight of blood in one's stool could make one get worried, yes you should get worried,as such ought not to happen,but if related to dysentery it is not really something you should get deeply worried about but rather that is a usual symptom and you should be calm follow treatment procedures. Though children tend to be more susceptible to this infection, the truth would be that no age group is actually exempted as all could actually suffer from it.
The dysentery infection has been categorized into two depending on the causal organism which could either be caused by the shigella species i.e Shigella bacillus in which case it is called bacillary dysentery, or it could be caused by Entamoeba Histolytica in which case it is called amoebic dysentery and this is more common in the tropics.
Dysentery is caused by poor hygiene as that is the suitable environment for the causal organism, it could as well be gotten by ingesting contaminated food or water.
SYMPTOMS
Dysentery has some symptoms which might differ slightly depending on the causal organism,and these symptoms appear between 1-3 days after infection.
BACILLARY DYSENTERY ; this is the more severe dysentery and has some symptoms such as ache of the stomach,cramping,diarrhea,few cases of blood or mucus in the stool,severe pain in the abdomen,fever,nausea,vomiting,dehydration.
AMOEBIC DYSENTERY ; it is characterized by blood or mucus in the stool,fever,chills,nausea,vomiting,pain while stooling,fatigue,constipation.
COMPLICATIONS
Some complications associated with dysentery includes;
- Dehydration which could be curbed by the sufferer drinking lots of water or by the use of drip.
- Seizures.
- Amoebic dysentery causes liver abscess.
- Arthritis could develop after the infection has been treated.
- Kidney failure.
- Anemia.
PREVENTION
Possible ways to prevent one's self from being infected includes;
- Drinking clean and safe water
- Washing hands regularly
- Ensure food is thoroughly cooked
TREATMENT
Amoebic dysentery can be treated with flagyl/metronidazole or tindamax, but for mild bacillary dysentery,it could actual resolve without treatment but if it be acute,antibiotics should be prescribed by a medical expert.
Hope you were enlightened,always remember that at Healthvim, your health is our pride.