Dysentery is a medical condition characterized by severe inflammation of the intestinal tract. This condition is typically the result of an infection caused by pathogenic bacteria, viruses or worms. There are two major types of dysentery: amebic dysentery, also called amebiasis; and bacillary dysentery, also called shigella. A person who develops dysentery symptoms should seek additional medical care from a physician.
No Symptoms
Certain patients with dysentery may not develop any noticeable symptoms from this infection. In fact, approximately 80 to 90 percent of patients with amebiasis are asymptomatic, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As a result, it can be difficult to diagnosis dysentery in affected patients. Without treatment, the parasite can spread to other organs within the body of asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, warns MedlinePlus, a health information website supported by the National Institutes of Health.
Chronic Diarrhea
Symptoms of dysentery typically arise within 2 to 4 weeks following initial exposure to the infectious parasite, report health officials with the Utah Department of Health. The primary symptom associated with dysentery is chronic diarrhea. Patients with diarrhea experience frequent bowel movements that yield loose or runny stools. Severe dysentery can cause bleeding along the intestinal wall. When this occurs, affected patients may notice blood or mucus within their stools, explain health officials with the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. Some patients can also experience nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramping or tenderness due to dysentery. Chronic diarrhea symptoms should be discussed with a doctor as affected patients can be at an increased risk of developing dehydration.
Fever
A fever can arise as a symptom of dysentery in certain patients, explains Patient UK, a comprehensive health information website supported by general practitioners within the United Kingdom. When the body is infected by a pathogen, the immune system raises the body's temperature to help limit the spread of infection through the body. Patients who develop fever symptoms may also experience headache, chills or sweating. With treatment, these symptoms typically resolve within 10 days, reports MedlinePlus.
Weight Loss
Patients with dysentery can experience unintended or unexplained weight loss as a symptom of infection, reports MedlinePlus. Weight loss symptoms typically arise due to decreased appetite and can occur in conjunction with other dysentery symptoms, such as stomach upset or diarrhea. Patients who experience sudden or significant unintended weight loss should seek additional care from a health care professional as this dysentery symptom can be a sign of alternate medical problems.
