Why Does Dysentery Mean?

Dysentery is an infection in your intestines that causes bloody diarrhea. It can be caused by a parasite or bacteria.

What is the difference between dysentery and diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a condition that involves the frequent passing of loose or watery stools while Dysentery is an intestinal inflammation, especially in the colon, that can lead to severe diarrhea with mucus or blood in the feces.

How is dysentery diagnosis?

If a doctor suspects dysentery, a stool sample usually will be required for analysis. For bacterial infections such as shigella, the diagnosis is made by culture of the stool. Unfortunately, such cultures are not available in most developing countries and the diagnosis is made clinically on the basis of symptoms.