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 high fever to prevent dehydration and toxic complications.
| Symptom group | Typical features | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Abdominal pain | Left-lower colicky, post-defecation relief | Universal |
| Diarrhea | Watery→bloody mucus, >10/day | Universal |
| Tenesmus | Urgent, scanty, straining | Universal |
| Fever | 38–40 °C, chills | Common |
| Nausea/vomiting | Gastric content, kids>adults | Common |
| Toxic type | High fever, convulsions, shock | Rare but critical |