The mild form of dysentery is caused by a bacterium of the Shigella sonnei type. The most severe form of the disease is caused by Shigella dysenteriae. Treatment of food poisoning, dysentery - the subject of the article.
The incubation period
When infected with a causative agent of dysentery, the incubation period before the onset of diarrhea is from 1 to 5 days. However, diarrhea can start suddenly immediately after infection. In some patients, the disease gradually acquires a more severe character with a relatively easy onset. Dysentery is accompanied by the following symptoms:
• a watery stool with an admixture of blood and mucus;
• up to 20 acts of defecation during the day, cramping abdominal pain, intense urge to defecate;
• vomiting, flatulence, tenderness and bloating;
• children - high fever, irritability, loss of appetite.
In some cases, the disease with dysentery is accompanied by meningism (headaches, rigidity of the occipital muscles), especially in young children. Other complications of dysentery include pneumonia, myocardial damage (cardiac muscle), eye, arthropathy and neuropathy. It is assumed that the system manifestations of the disease are associated with a hypersensitivity reaction to a toxin produced by bacteria that cause dysentery. Similar symptoms can be observed also in salmonellosis, the causative agent of which is the bacteria of Salmonella; Abdominal typhus, caused by infection with a typhoid rod or paratytic rod. The incubation period of these diseases is also from 1 to 5 days. The patient also develops diarrhea with spotting. In some cases, watery diarrhea predominates, in others, typhoid fever syndrome develops. When infected with Campylobacter incubation period is from 3 to 5 days. Before the appearance of diarrhea, there may be systemic signs (temperature, headaches, muscle pains). The chair first has a watery consistency, then an impurity of blood appears in it. Very often the disease is accompanied by pain in the abdomen, so that the children can be mistakenly diagnosed with appendicitis.
Dysentery develops due to infection with one of several species of bacteria. The causative agent of the relatively mild form of the disease is Shigella sonnei, the heavier form of Shigella flexneri. The most severe form of dysentery is caused by Shigella dysenteriae. Campylobacterial infection develops as a result of infection with spirilla-like microorganisms. Infection occurs when contact or use of contaminated food. Yersinia (Yersinia enterocolitica) microorganisms transmitted by animals; Some foodstuffs can be contaminated with them. The causative agents of salmonellosis are Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteridus and Salmonella heidelberg. The causative agents of typhoid fever are Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi A and Salmonella paratyphi B. Amoebic dysentery is caused by the organism Entamoeba histolytica (dysentery amoeba) - an intestinal parasite that forms cysts. They can be in food, vegetables and water sources. Any of these organisms can be transmitted to humans by eating infected foods or drinks. In severe cases of dysentery, rehydration of the patient is necessary. Thanks to rehydration, it was possible to significantly reduce the mortality from the disease, especially in developing countries.
Other measures taken to treat dysentery:
• Take antipyretics and rub the patient with a sponge soaked in cool water; recommended at elevated temperature.
• To relieve pain in the abdomen, antispasmodics are prescribed.
• In cases of dysentery caused by shigella, in severe cases, especially in young children and the elderly, antibiotics are used.
• For the treatment of dysentery caused by shigella, antibiotics of the penicillin and tetracycline series are effective.
• In severe forms of salmonellosis, chloramphenicol, amoxicillin, trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole are used. With campylobacterial infection in severe cases, erythromycin is used.
• In case of amoebic dysentery, a blood transfusion is performed if the patient has had a lot of blood loss.
Prevention
To prevent dysentery, it is important to follow the rules of hygiene. Water, which was in contact with the infected, must be boiled before use. The same rule must be observed in countries with low hygiene standards. In public toilets it is recommended to frequently disinfect the toilet bowls and use disposable hand towels. Patients with dysentery who are in contact with food during work should be suspended from work until they have received three consecutive negative results of stool tests. An important preventive measure is also the use of vaccines given orally or in the form of injections.
Forecast
In most cases, patients with bacterial dysentery respond well to the therapy used. It is more difficult to achieve full recovery with amoebic dysentery. The problem is made by individuals who are chronic carriers of cysts. Diloxanide furoate can be used for their treatment. Previous epidemics of dysentery were common in Central America, Mexico, Asia and India. Epidemics were often accompanied by high mortality. Disease-creating microorganisms are rapidly developing in conditions of overpopulation and poverty, where there is no system for disposal of domestic waste and wastewater. Dysentery is widespread, in fact, in all countries of the world. However, where necessary precautions are taken, the spread of the disease can be limited, which reduces the number of cases.