What is Dysentery?
Dysentery is an inflammation and infection of the intestines, resulting in diarrhea containing blood or mucus. Other possible symptoms include abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
This condition can occur as a result of bacterial or parasitic infections. These infections usually spread as a result of poor hygiene or sanitation.
Dysentery is divided into two types, namely:
- Bacillary dysentery or shigellosis, which is caused by infection with the Shigella bacteria.
- Amoebic dysentery or amoebiasis is caused by infection with Entamoeba histolytica.
Symptoms of Dysentery
Symptoms may appear 1-3 days after infection. In some people, symptoms take longer to appear.
However, there are also those who do not experience any symptoms at all.
Each type has slightly different symptoms. Bacillary dysentery causes symptoms such as:
- Diarrhea with abdominal cramps.
- Fever.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Blood or mucus in diarrhea.
Amoebic dysentery usually does not cause symptoms. However, in some cases, symptoms can appear 2-4 weeks after infection.
Here are some symptoms to watch out for:
- Nauseous.
- Diarrhea.
- Stomach cramps.
- Weight loss.
- Fever.
Causes of Dysentery
Bacillary dysentery is caused by infection with shigella bacteria (the most common). However, Campylobacter, E. coli, and Salmonella bacteria can also cause this condition.
Meanwhile, amoebic dysentery is caused by a single-celled parasite infection, namely Entamoeba histolytica. Generally, areas with poor sanitation are where amoeba are often found.
Complications in the liver, in the form of liver abscesses, can be caused by amoebic dysentery.
Risk Factors for Dysentery
The risk of this disease can increase due to several factors, namely:
- Poor personal hygiene, such as not washing hands before eating and after defecating.
- Objects contaminated with parasites or bacteria that cause dysentery, which enter a person’s mouth.
- Food and water contaminated with human feces.
- Areas with inadequate clean water availability.
- An environment with poorly managed waste disposal sites.
- The use of fertilizer for plants derived from human waste.
Complications of Dysentery
This disease can cause several complications. Especially in people who have disorders of the immune system.
Some potential complications of dysentery include:
- Dehydration. Frequent diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration. In infants and children, this can quickly become life-threatening.
- Liver abscess. In some cases, amoebic dysentery can cause an abscess or pus in the liver.
- Postinfectious arthritis (PIA). This is a complication of Shigella infection. Symptoms include joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness.
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome. A condition involving inflammation and damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys. It is a rare complication of Shigella infection.
Diagnosis of Dysentery
Diagnosis is made by conducting a medical interview, physical examination, and supporting examinations, such as:
- Examination of stool samples from sufferers, so that the cause is known.
- Examination of blood samples and abdominal ultrasound, if complications of amoebic dysentery are found in the form of liver abscess.
- Colonoscopy examination, to determine the condition of the large intestine.
Treatment of Dysentery
Mild shigellosis is usually treated simply with rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter medications, such as bismuth subsalicylate, can help relieve cramps and diarrhea.
People with dysentery should avoid medications that slow down the intestines, such as loperamide or atropine-diphenoxylate, which can worsen the condition.
Severe shigellosis can be treated with antibiotics, but the bacteria that cause it are often resistant. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics and you don’t see improvement after a few days, tell your doctor right away.
Amoebic dysentery is treated with metronidazole or tinidazole. These drugs kill the parasites. In some cases, follow-up drugs are given to make sure all the parasites are gone.
In severe cases, your doctor may recommend an intravenous (IV) drip to replace fluids and prevent dehydration.
Prevention of Dysentery
Some efforts that can be made to prevent dysentery, namely:
- Always wash your hands with soap and water, especially before eating, cooking, preparing food, and after defecating, as well as changing baby’s diapers.
- Avoid direct contact with people with p .
- Avoid using the same towel as the sufferer.
- Use hot water to wash the sufferer’s clothes.
- Avoid swallowing water when swimming in public facilities.
- Always clean the toilet with disinfectant after each use.
- Avoid eating fruits that have been peeled by other people.
- Always consume water that has been boiled and water in bottles that are still tightly closed.
- Avoid ice cubes that are sold carelessly because they may be contaminated with germs.
