What is the Difference between Diarrhea and Dysentery?

The symptoms of diarrhoea and dysentery are similar as diarrhoea is one of the main signs of dysentery. It is a critical symptom that is analysed over time to determine the overall health of the person. If there is a virus present, then this symptom can escalate within a few days.

If there is an infection, inflammation, or blood in the stool of the person then there could be a risk of dysentery. Diarrhoea that isn't connected to dysentery is generally just a result of food changes, medication, illness, etc. There isn't a direct infection present that could escalate to more serious symptoms over time when you have general diarrhoea.

You should also check your own risk factors prior to getting the diarrhoea symptom. Drinking unclean water or consuming contaminated food can increase your risk of dysentery. If you come into contact with people who don't maintain proper hygiene then the bacteria can spread through touch as well.

You should also know the difference between diarrhoea and dysentery so that you're aware of the increased risk factor of getting dysentery when visiting highly crowded tropical regions. Understanding the differences between diarrhea and dysentery can help you get medical help quicker as soon as you spot the critical signs.

The symptoms of bacillary dysentery need to be tracked across a few days to check for escalation, pain, blood presence, and overall immunity. Some of the most common symptoms can go unnoticed if there is a medical history of gastric infections or bacteria.

Dysentery is a distinct type of condition which requires immediate treatment. It is important to understand what is dysentery and what the infection can lead to across individuals. You should consult with your doctor if you or your child are showing these symptoms.

There may be internal pain in the body when there is dysentery present. You can experience this pain as a dull or constant pain sensation throughout the body or localized in the abdominal region.

Vomiting that isn't connected to any other condition can be one of the signs of dysentery. You can experience this when you have constant vomiting that requires medication. You may also get dehydration as a result of dysentery as well.

There may be issues with blood in the stool caused by some level of damage or irritation. You can see spots of blood in your stool, which could be a sign that there may be a virus or bacteria present in the body.

Your body may feel like it needs to empty its bowels more frequently owing to the activity of the virus or bacteria. You may also experience gastric distress and pain while relieving your bowels. You can take painkillers for the symptoms.

The first step is to perform a blood test, an ultrasound, and an endoscopy to determine the presence of the bacteria as well as determine the internal condition of the organs in the system. This can help doctors determine the best course of action for you.

In the case of amoebic dysentery your doctor can prescribe antimicrobial medication which should deal with the parasite directly. It is generally a 7-10 day course, which can help you recover from the underlying reason behind the symptoms.

Painkillers are effective at reducing the symptom severity for individuals with dysentery. You can take painkillers, anti-vomiting medication, and other OTC medicines to help alleviate some of the major signs of the condition.

For mild shigellosis, you can choose to rest it out and drink plenty of fluids. You can also drink juices as they can provide the necessary nutrition if you are also experiencing weakness and body pain. You can experience an improvement within a week or so time.

You can follow these best practices if you have dysentery or had dysentery in the past.

It is important to always drink water through branded water bottles that are available in a shop. You don't want to drink tap water or water that is freely available at a large public area. These could potentially be grounds for bacterial dysentery.

Food that isn't stored properly can lead to a range of bacterial activity. You should always refrain from having food that has been sitting outside for too long or requires refrigeration for extended periods.

You should wash your hands regularly if you are coming into contact with large groups of people. You should also wash your hands after using public restrooms and when visiting densely populated zones. 

* Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphic, and images, are intended as substitutes for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice pertaining to your condition(s).