Dysentery is an infectionin the intestine which causes watery diarrhea accompanied by blood or mucus. In contrast to ordinary diarrhea, dysentery can cause severe diarrhea that needs to be treated in a hospital.
Dysentery is caused by a bacterial or parasitic infection. This condition is highly contagious and can cause severe illness. In addition, complications that can arise due to dysentery are not limited to the digestive system, but can also have a wide impact.
Therefore, dysentery sufferers must get proper treatment early on. However, it would be even better if the causes and risk factors for dysentery can be identified so that this disease can be prevented.
Causes of Dysentery
Based on the cause, dysentery can be divided into two types, namely:
- Bacterial dysentery, which is dysentery caused by bacterial infection
- Amoebic dysentery, which is dysentery due to infection with amoebic parasites
Dysentery generally occurs in environments with poor sanitation, such as areas that lack clean water and areas with inadequate domestic sewage systems.
The spread of dysentery occurs due to a lack of public awareness to maintain personal hygiene, for example not washing hands after using the toilet or before eating.
Symptoms of Dysentery
Dysentery generally lasts for 3–7 days and is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea filled with water, which may be accompanied by blood or mucus
- stomach cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
Dysentery Treatment
Not all cases of dysentery require treatment from a doctor. Mild bacterial dysentery generally resolves without treatment in 3–7 days. Treatment is enough with rest and maintain body fluid intake.
Meanwhile, severe dysentery can be treated with drugs to relieve symptoms and kill germs that cause infection. The patient may also need to be hospitalized to get enough fluids.
Several types of drugs used to relieve symptoms are bismuth subsalicylate and paracetamol. Meanwhile, drugs to kill the cause of infection are antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin and metronidazole.