What are the symptoms and manifestations of bacterial dysentery?
Bacterial dysentery is an acute invasive infection of the colon caused by Shigella, enteroinvasive or enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi or Paratyphi, and occasionally Yersinia. The hallmark is frequent, small-volume stools containing blood, mucus, or pus, accompanied by systemic toxicity. Rapid recognition guides stool testing, appropriate antibiotics, and prevention of secondary spread. Core intestinal features• Tenesmus: painful, ineffectual straining with a constant urge to defecate; patients may visit the toilet dozens of times daily.• Frequent scant stools: 8–20 passages per 24 h, each <100 g, often consisting only of blood-streaked mucus.• Gross blood and pus: bright-red blood... Learn more