What is the difference between gastroenteritis and dysentery

It should be divided on the basis of 1. Secretory 2. The fever is not marked in case of watery diarrhea. They can cause diarrhea in immunoconpetent hosts also. But when they cause infection if Immunocompromised host they cause invasive infections and can lead to mucus and blood in the stool.

Thanks and regards Dr. Anant Marathe. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. The major differences between Diarrhea and Dysentery are as follows: S. Diarrhea Dysentery 1. Diarrhea is presented as watery stool with no blood and mucus. Dysentery is presented as a mucoid stool that may be accompanied by blood.

The patient may or may not be accompanied by cramps or a pain. Diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion, and polymerase chain Rotavirus Rotavirus Gastroenteritis Rotavirus is the most common cause of sporadic, severe, dehydrating diarrhea in young children worldwide peak incidence, 3 to 15 months. Diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion, but polymerase Astrovirus can infect people of all ages but usually infects infants and young children.

In temperate climates, infection is most common in winter months, and in tropical regions, infection is more common in summer months. Transmission is by the fecal-oral route. Incubation is 3 to 4 days. Adenoviruses Adenovirus Infections Infection with one of the many adenoviruses may be asymptomatic or result in specific syndromes, including mild respiratory infections, keratoconjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, cystitis, and primary Infections occur year-round, with a slight increase in summer.

Children 2 years of age are primarily affected. Transmission is by the fecal-oral route as well as by respiratory droplets. Incubation is 3 to 10 days.

Viruses infect enterocytes in the villous epithelium of the small bowel. The result is transudation of fluid and electrolytes into the intestinal lumen; sometimes, unabsorbed carbohydrates resulting from malabsorption Overview of Malabsorption Malabsorption is inadequate assimilation of dietary substances due to defects in digestion, absorption, or transport. Malabsorption can affect macronutrients eg, proteins, carbohydrates, fats Diarrhea is watery.

Inflammatory diarrhea dysentery , with fecal white blood cells WBCs and red blood cells RBCs or gross blood, is uncommon. In immunocompromised patients, additional viruses eg, cytomegalovirus Cytomegalovirus CMV Infection Cytomegalovirus CMV, human herpesvirus type 5 can cause infections that have a wide range of severity. A syndrome of infectious mononucleosis that lacks severe pharyngitis is common. All enteroviruses are antigenically heterogeneous Campylobacter Campylobacter and Related Infections Campylobacter infections typically cause self-limited diarrhea but occasionally cause bacteremia, with consequent endocarditis, osteomyelitis, or septic arthritis.

Diagnosis is by culture, usually Clostridioides difficile Overview of Clostridial Infections Clostridia are spore-forming, gram-positive, anaerobic bacilli present widely in dust, soil, and vegetation and as normal flora in mammalian gastrointestinal tracts.

Pathogenic species produce Escherichia coli Escherichia coli Infections The gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli is the most numerous aerobic commensal inhabitant of the large intestine.

Certain strains cause diarrhea, and all can cause infection when they invade Symptoms are Some of these serotypes are named. In such cases, common usage sometimes shortens Shigella Shigellosis Shigellosis is an acute infection of the intestine caused by the gram-negative Shigella species.

Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, tenesmus, and diarrhea that is usually bloody. Staphylococci, causing staphylococcal food poisoning Staphylococcal food poisoning Staphylococci are gram-positive aerobic organisms.

Staphylococcus aureus is the most pathogenic; it typically causes skin infections and sometimes pneumonia, endocarditis, and osteomyelitis Bacterial gastroenteritis is less common than viral. Bacteria cause gastroenteritis by several mechanisms. Enterotoxins are produced by certain species eg, Vibrio cholerae , enterotoxigenic strains of E. These toxins impair intestinal absorption and cause secretion of electrolytes and water by stimulating adenylate cyclase, resulting in watery diarrhea.

Exotoxins that are ingested in contaminated food are produced by some bacteria eg, Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcal Infections Staphylococci are gram-positive aerobic organisms. Symptoms are watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Diagnosis is by identifying C. The exotoxin can cause gastroenteritis without bacterial infection.

These toxins generally cause acute nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea within 12 hours of ingestion of contaminated food. Symptoms abate within 36 hours. Mucosal invasion occurs with other bacteria eg, Shigella Shigellosis Shigellosis is an acute infection of the intestine caused by the gram-negative Shigella species.

The invasive process and its results can occur whether or not the organism produces an enterotoxin. The resulting diarrhea has evidence of this invasion and inflammation with leukocytes and RBCs present on microscopy and sometimes with gross blood. Salmonella and Campylobacter are common bacterial causes of diarrheal illness in the US.

Both infections are most frequently acquired through undercooked poultry; unpasteurized milk is also a possible source. Campylobacter is occasionally transmitted from dogs or cats with diarrhea. Salmonella can be transmitted by consuming undercooked eggs and by contact with reptiles, birds, or amphibians. Species of Shigella are also common bacterial causes of diarrhea in the US and are usually transmitted person to person, although foodborne epidemics occur.

Shigella dysenteriae type 1 not present in the US produces Shiga toxin, which can cause hemolytic-uremic syndrome Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome HUS Hemolytic-uremic syndrome HUS is an acute, fulminant disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and acute kidney injury.

HUS usually occurs in children The epidemiology and clinical manifestations vary greatly depending on the subtype. When needed, organism-specific diagnosis can In the past, Clostridioides difficile Overview of Clostridial Infections Clostridia are spore-forming, gram-positive, anaerobic bacilli present widely in dust, soil, and vegetation and as normal flora in mammalian gastrointestinal tracts.

With the emergence of the hypervirulent NAP1 strain in the US in the late s, many community-associated cases are now occurring. Several other bacteria cause gastroenteritis, but most are uncommon in the US. Yersinia enterocolitica Plague and Other Yersinia Infections Plague is caused by the gram-negative bacterium Yersinia pestis.

Symptoms are either severe pneumonia or massive lymphadenopathy with high fever, often progressing to septicemia. Diagnosis is It is transmitted by undercooked pork, unpasteurized milk, or contaminated water. Listeria Listeriosis Listeriosis is bacteremia, meningitis, cerebritis, dermatitis, an oculoglandular syndrome, intrauterine and neonatal infections, or rarely endocarditis caused by Listeria species. Symptoms vary Symptoms are those of sepsis. Diagnosis is by culture or polymerase chain reaction testing of mother and infant Aeromonas is acquired from swimming in or drinking contaminated fresh or brackish water.

Plesiomonas shigelloides can cause diarrhea in patients who have eaten raw shellfish or traveled to tropical regions of the developing world. Clin Infect Dis ciab, Giardia Giardiasis Giardiasis is infection with the flagellated protozoan Giardia duodenalis G.

Infection can be asymptomatic or cause symptoms ranging from intermittent flatulence Cryptosporidium Cryptosporidiosis Cryptosporidiosis is infection with the protozoan Cryptosporidium. The primary symptom is watery diarrhea, often with other signs of gastrointestinal distress. Illness is typically self-limited Certain intestinal parasites, notably Giardia intestinalis G.

Giardiasis occurs in every region of the US and throughout the world. The infection can become chronic and cause a malabsorption syndrome Overview of Malabsorption Malabsorption is inadequate assimilation of dietary substances due to defects in digestion, absorption, or transport. It is usually acquired via person-to-person transmission often in day care centers or from ingestion of cysts in contaminated water or food.

Cryptosporidium parvum causes watery diarrhea and can sometimes be accompanied by abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. In healthy people, the illness is self-limited, lasting about 2 weeks. In immunocompromised patients, illness may be severe and prolonged, causing substantial electrolyte and fluid loss.

Cryptosporidium is usually acquired through contaminated water. It is not easily killed by chlorine and is the most common cause of recreational waterborne illness in the US, accounting for about three fourths of outbreaks. Other parasites that can cause symptoms similar to those of cryptosporidiosis include Cyclospora cayetanensis Cyclosporiasis Cyclosporiasis is infection with the protozoan Cyclospora cayetanensis.

Symptoms include watery diarrhea with gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms. Diagnosis is by detection of characteristic Symptomatic disease develops predominantly in patients with AIDS and includes chronic diarrhea, disseminated infection, and corneal disease Dysentery is an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.

Dysentery is highly infectious and can be passed on if you do not take the right precautions, such as properly and regularly washing your hands.

However, it's important to drink plenty of fluids and use oral rehydration solutions if necessary to avoid dehydration. Painkillers, such as paracetamol , can help relieve pain and a fever. Avoid anti-diarrhoea medicines, such as loperamide , because they can make things worse. You should stay at home until at least 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea, to reduce the risk of passing the infection on to others.

Handwashing is the most important way to stop the spread of infection. You're infectious to other people while you're ill and have symptoms. As shigella is easily passed on to others, you may need to submit poo stool samples to be given the all clear to return to work, school or nursery. The type of shigella you have and whether you, or others, are in a risk group will influence how long you need to stay away.

Risk groups are people with certain jobs including healthcare workers and people who handle food , as well as people who need help with personal hygiene and very young children. Your environmental health officer will be able to advise you about this.

It's not always necessary to see a GP if you have dysentery, because it tends to get better within a week or so. However, you should see a GP if your symptoms are severe or they do not start to improve after a few days. Let them know if you've been abroad recently.