Dysentery is the result of inflammation and swelling within the intestinal walls, which causes food and water to be improperly absorbed, leading to diarrhea. Bacterial dysentery is caused by bacteria infecting the intestines, leading to localized tissue damage and inflammation. In general, bacterial dysentery is not life-threatening, although serious complications can develop.
Causes
Bacterial dysentery is most commonly caused by the consumption of contaminated food or water, according to the Mayo Clinic. The most common types of bacteria that can cause dysentery are salmonella, E. coli, shigella and campylobacter. Bacterial dysentery is especially common among people traveling to underdeveloped nations; in these cases it is often termed "traveler's diarrhea."
Contamination Sources
Food can become contaminated as a result of poor hygiene during food preparation, which can in bacteria spreading from unwashed hands or utensils into the food. Food can also get contaminated by being prepared with water from an untreated well other water source. Foods containing mayonnaise or undercooked eggs or meats can also contain bacteria, especially if they are allowed to remain at room temperature for extended periods, which encourages bacteria to form.
Symptoms
Bacterial dysentery causes patients to develop diarrhea. Sufferers may also develop cramps and abdominal pain. Other common gastrointestinal symptoms include nausea and vomiting. Some types of bacterial infections can lead to the presence of blood in the diarrhea, which will appear either as bright red streaks in the stool or may cause the stool to become dark and tar-like. Fever is another common symptom.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Bacterial dysentery can usually be diagnosed by culturing bacteria from the stool. Physicians may also look for the presence of white blood cells, which indicates an infection. Mild cases of bacterial dysentery are generally not treated with antibiotics because the infection will resolve itself within a few days, notes the American College of Gastroenterology. Severe cases can be treated with antibiotics to speed recovery. Anti-diarrheal medications such as loperamide can be used for symptomatic relief.
Complications
The most common complication from bacterial dysentery is dehydration. This is because the diarrhea can cause a dangerous amount of fluid loss. Severe cases may result in the infection spreading to the bloodstream, which can result in a serious infection called sepsis. In rare cases patients can also develop kidney failure. Contact a physician if the stool is bloody, the diarrhea lasts more than five days, you experience dizziness or you have a fever over 101 degrees..
