Gastroenteritis and Dysentery: 


Are They the Same?

It might be challenging to determine the root cause of an illness when symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Perhaps you have viral gastroenteritis (commonly known as stomach flu) or food poisoning.




Dysentery is also a possibility, though it's far less common. Dysentery may sound like a sickness from the past. Yet, it still affects nearly half a million people In the United States annually.


To put it simply, dysentery is an intestinal illness that manifests through severe diarrhea with blood or mucus in the stool.


We'll examine the similarities and differences between gastroenteritis and dysentery here.


How is dysentery different from gastroenteritis?


As a type of gastroenteritis, dysentery is a potentially dangerous illness. It's helpful to conceive of dysentery as a subset of gastroenteritis.


Gastroenteritis comes in many forms, and some of them are:


Stomach flu caused by germs




Gastroenteritis is caused by a virus (stomach flu)


intestinal parasite infection


diarrhea with eosinophils


Can you explain what exactly gastroenteritis is?


Inflammation or irritation of the intestinal tract produced by a virus is also known as viral gastroenteritis. However, bacteria account for 15%-20% of episodes of gastroenteritis. Parasitism is a possible underlying cause in some situations.



But unlike viral gastroenteritis, which is caused by viruses, the stomach cramps and watery diarrhea of bacterial gastroenteritis are brought on by bacteria (or even food poisoning).


Just what is dysentery?


To put it simply, dysentery is a severe form of stomach flu. Diarrhea that is severe, frequent, watery, or bloody is one of the symptoms of gastroenteritis, and this word is used to characterize such situations.


The root reasons remain the same, although the manifestations may change.


Lack of personal cleanliness or contact with feculent water, food, or other substances can lead to dysentery.


Bacterial dysentery is another form of the illness; it is brought on by ingesting germs such as Shigella, Campylobacter, Salmonella, or enterohemorrhagic E. coli.


Parasites in the intestines are to blame for amebic dysentery. This parasite is present in the feces of persons with the illness.


Key takeaway


Dysentery is one of the more severe forms of gastroenteritis that affects humans. In most cases, illness is brought on by a person coming into contact with a pathogen, which might result from improper hygiene or consuming tainted food.


How to identify gastroenteritis


Depending on the specific strain of gastroenteritis, the symptoms may be slightly different. Potential signs and symptoms include:


Nausea


Diarrhea


Cramping and aching in the stomach


Vomiting


Sore muscles




A mild fever


Stool tests can identify rotavirus and norovirus, but not other viruses that might cause gastroenteritis.


Suppose your doctor suspects you have an infection. In that case, you will likely order a stool study to identify the precise bacteria and parasites causing the problem.


Understanding Dysentery and Its Symptoms


Unlike more severe and frequent gastroenteritis, dysentery can cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Among the symptoms are:


cramping




Vomiting


Nausea


Bloating


Diarrhea with blood


Dysentery is characterized by bloody stools and mucous that may seem fatty. Bloody diarrhea is uncommon in situations of gastroenteritis.


Is It Time To See A Doctor?


Suppose you have a fever or severe bloody or watery diarrhea. In that case, you should visit a doctor immediately, even if you don't feel dehydrated.


If your diarrhea doesn't get better in two days, or if you start showing symptoms of dehydration, like:


The inability to swallow due to lack of saliva


Constant dehydration




Weakness


Lightheadedness


Extremely infrequent urination


Keep hydrated and contact a doctor if you aren't feeling better after 3–7 days if you have dysentery. Still, usually, it will clear up on its own.


If any of the following symptoms apply to you and you suspect you have gastroenteritis:


You are unable to keep anything down.


Your stomach is churning, and you're spitting up blood.




You may get a weak or dizzy feeling.


Antibiotics are usually not used for viral gastroenteritis since the symptoms often resolve without them unless a bacterial cause can be detected.


Takeaway


A severe type of stomach flu, dysentery, can be life-threatening. Diarrhea due to an infection is medically referred to as gastroenteritis. Cases of severe gastroenteritis characterized by chronic diarrhea that is both watery and bloody are referred to as dysentery.


It's crucial to contact a doctor if you can't keep liquids down, feel dizzy or weak, or have other symptoms of dysentery or even milder kinds of gastroenteritis.