Dysentery
General description: an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhea containing blood or mucus. There are two types: amoebic and bacillary dysentery. Amoebic dysentery is limited to tropical countries, but bacillary dysentery can occur in upper latitudes. Generally speaking, amoebic dysentery is more serious but both of the diseases can be fatal if left untreated. (5)
Specific causes: Bacillary dysentery is caused by the shigella bacteria. There are four types, but all of them can cause the disease. The bacteria are found in feces and are spread through poor hygiene. Amoebic dysentery is caused by an amoeba called Entamoeba hystolytica. These amoebas form a cyst which passes through a person's body and is able to contaminate nearby food and water. When a person drinks the contaminated water, they will become infected with the amoeba. Once inside a person, the cyst will travel to the intensities and break open, releasing the amoebas and causing infection. The now-free amoebas can burrow into the walls of the intestines and form abscesses and ulcers. (2)
Specific causes: Bacillary dysentery is caused by the shigella bacteria. There are four types, but all of them can cause the disease. The bacteria are found in feces and are spread through poor hygiene. Amoebic dysentery is caused by an amoeba called Entamoeba hystolytica. These amoebas form a cyst which passes through a person's body and is able to contaminate nearby food and water. When a person drinks the contaminated water, they will become infected with the amoeba. Once inside a person, the cyst will travel to the intensities and break open, releasing the amoebas and causing infection. The now-free amoebas can burrow into the walls of the intestines and form abscesses and ulcers. (2)
Symptoms include passing three or more watery stools a day, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Other possible symptoms are abdominal pains, fever, and chills. (7)
Treatments: Dysentery can generally clear up after a few days so no treatment is needed, but a patient should drink plenty of fluids, eat when able to, and take oral rehydration solutions (ORS) if they are very young or elderly. If the dysentery does not clear up, there are drugs which have been found to effectively fight the disease. (8)
Who is affected: Outbreaks of dysentery are more common in overcrowded areas or where poor hygiene practices exist. Young children are the most affected and most likely to die from this disease. (4)
Where is the disease hurting people the most: Bacillary dysentery can occur all over the world while amoebic dysentery is generally in warmer climates. It is especially prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, the African coast, and parts of the East Indies. (6)
What is being done to fight disease/infection, both locally & globally: In general, dysentery infections occur because of poor hygiene. Proper hygienic methods such as washing your hands regularly and properly using the restroom are good places to start. When travelling to an area with high rates of dysentery, it has been suggested that travelers only eat food cooked at high temperatures in hygienic conditions and drink commercially bottled or boiled water. Treating water with chlorine can kill the bacteria that cause dysentery. (1)
Treatments: Dysentery can generally clear up after a few days so no treatment is needed, but a patient should drink plenty of fluids, eat when able to, and take oral rehydration solutions (ORS) if they are very young or elderly. If the dysentery does not clear up, there are drugs which have been found to effectively fight the disease. (8)
Who is affected: Outbreaks of dysentery are more common in overcrowded areas or where poor hygiene practices exist. Young children are the most affected and most likely to die from this disease. (4)
Where is the disease hurting people the most: Bacillary dysentery can occur all over the world while amoebic dysentery is generally in warmer climates. It is especially prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, the African coast, and parts of the East Indies. (6)
What is being done to fight disease/infection, both locally & globally: In general, dysentery infections occur because of poor hygiene. Proper hygienic methods such as washing your hands regularly and properly using the restroom are good places to start. When travelling to an area with high rates of dysentery, it has been suggested that travelers only eat food cooked at high temperatures in hygienic conditions and drink commercially bottled or boiled water. Treating water with chlorine can kill the bacteria that cause dysentery. (1)
Concept Questions
- How many types of dysentery are there? What are the differences between the two?
- Why do you think dysentery hurts those in developing countries the most?
- Do you think this disease could disappear? Why or why not?
Sources
- "Dysentery." Canada.com. Body & Health, 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. <http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_condition_info_details.asp?channel_id=1020>.
- "Dysentery - Causes." Dysentery. NHS, 7 Dec. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dysentery/Pages/Causes.aspx>
- "Genome Clues to Amoebic Dysentery." Genome Clues to Amoebic Dysentery. Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, 1 Mar. 2005. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. <http://www.news-medical.net/news/2005/03/01/8088.aspx>
- Hicks, Rob, Dr. "Dysentery." BBC News. BBC, Jan. 2008. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/dysentery1.shtml>.
- "Introduction." Dysentery. NHS, 7 Dec. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dysentery/Pages/Introduction.aspx>
- Smith, William Henry. Smith's Family Physician. NA: John Lovell, 1873.
- "Symptoms." Dysentery. NHS, 7 Dec. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dysentery/Pages/Symptoms.aspx>
- "Treatment." Dysentery. NHS, 7 Dec. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dysentery/Pages/Treatment.aspx>