Dysentery Facts

Colloquially called the runs, the trots or Montezuma's revenge, dysentery is in fact no laughing matter. At the least, it's uncomfortable, causing painful abdominal cramping and frequent diarrhea with mucus and blood. But the intestinal infection can also be life-threatening if severe dehydration occurs .

Symptoms

• Typical symptoms of dysentery include intestinal cramping and frequent loose stools, which often contain blood, pus or mucus. Many who contract the infection also experience headache, vomiting, chills and sudden high fever.

Causes

• Dysentery can be caused by bacteria, parasites and viruses. When human feces enter the food or water supply due to poor hygiene or sanitation, the infection spreads quickly.

Most Common Types

• Amoebic dysentery develops when the cysts of a tiny parasite enter the body by way of contaminated food or water or by contact with fecal matter. Bacillary dysentery, also known as Shigella, is a bacterial infection often transferred by flies from infected feces to food.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• Dysentery is usually diagnosed by microscopic examination of stool samples. Doctors may prescribe specific antibiotics to treat the infection. Since dysentery can cause life-threatening dehydration, it's important to take in as much fluid as possible.

Prevention

• Careful hand washing after using the toilet and proper disposal of sewage can prevent the spread of dysentery. Some people are carriers of the infection and are able to infect others but show no symptoms themselves. Making good hygiene a habit is wise, since no one can ever be sure he was not exposed to dysentery.