Bacterial dysentery presents with rapid-onset colonic invasion, toxin damage and inflammatory exudate: Abdominal pain: mostly left-lower quadrant, colicky, worse before defecation, briefly relieved after Diarrhea: starts watery, quickly becomes mucopurulent and bloody; >10 stools/day, small volume Tenesmus: frequent urge, scanty difficult evacuation, strong anal bearing-down Fever: 38–40 °C with chills; toxic type may cause sudden convulsions Nausea/vomiting: more common in children; bilious in severe cases Mucopurulent bloody stool: dark or bright red, sticky, fishy odor Toxic type (ages 2–7): high fever, convulsions, altered consciousness or shock before diarrhea appears Seek care promptly if diarrhea >1 day with blood, tenesmus or... Learn more