Diarrhea has numerous causes, including certain health conditions, digestive issues, and bacterial and viral infections. When blood appears in the diarrhea, it is important to contact a medical professional. Treatment of bloody diarrhea requires a proper diagnosis to understand the underlying cause. Persistent bloody diarrhea is likely to be a health condition, while a temporary bout for two or three days is likely due to an irritant. Some causes of bloody diarrhea are contagious. Proper hygiene should be practiced with this ailment to prevent spreading the infection.
Infection
MIlton S. Hershey Medical Center College of Medicine (HMC) explains that a bacterial infection is a common cause of blood in the diarrhea. In addition to blood, there may be mucus. The reason for such substances in the stools is the irritation of the intestines due to the bacterial infection. Most bacteria that cause this problem are contracted by eating or drinking contaminated items or by ingesting fecal matter from another infected person. Fecal matter can be ingested by simply touching a contaminated item or surface and then putting the hands in the mouth. This situation is extremely common in shared spaces with children, such as a day care facility. An antibiotic may be prescribed for treatment in some cases, or monitoring fluid intake to prevent dehydration may be the focus.
Other types of infection include viral and parasitic. Common viral infections that cause diarrhea include rotavirus and adenovirus. Common parasites include Giardia lamblia and entamoeba histolytica. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) points out that such viruses are most common among children and infants. Parasites, like other infections, are found in food or water. Bleeding with viral and parasitic infections is not as common as with bacterial infections.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease consists of several disorders that cause intestinal inflammation. According to FamilyDoctor.org, the inflammation lasts a long time and is recurrent. Individuals with this condition may have abdominal cramps, diarrhea, weight loss and bleeding from the intestines. Most inflammatory bowel diseases do not have permanent cures, but medications and diet modification can be helpful in managing the symptoms. Two common diseases include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease consists of open ulcers, or sores, in the small and large intestines that are easily aggravated by foods, stress and other triggers. Ulcerative colitis consists of ulcers in the lower part of the large intestine, beginning with the rectum.
Food Intolerance
Any type of food intolerance or allergy can cause diarrhea. When the episode is moderate to severe, there is a chance of blood in the stools. Common food allergies or sensitivities that cause diarrhea include lactose intolerance and celiac disease. Celiac disease is a disorder that leads to digestive issues when gluten is consumed. Gluten can be found in wheat, rye, barley and oat products. Lactose intolerance and celiac disease are often treated by avoiding the foods that trigger the symptoms. Some medications can be helpful in preventing sickness from lactose by helping the body break down the proteins. Blood in the diarrhea with these issues is due to the irritation of the intestines and sometimes due to a hemorrhoid or fissure, which is a cut or wound in the rectum.
