Bloody diarrhoea (bacillary dysentery)
Bacillary dysentery is diarrhoea with blood, usually caused by Shigella bacteria. It spreads very easily through dirty hands, food and water. It is common in children in Afghanistan and can be serious in young children and malnourished people. Unlike most watery diarrhoea, bloody diarrhoea usually needs antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.
Symptoms
- Frequent small stools with blood and mucus
- Cramping belly pain
- Painful straining to pass stool
- Fever
- Tiredness and loss of appetite
- Signs of dehydration
Causes
- Shigella bacteria, and sometimes other bacteria or amoeba
- Dirty hands, especially after the toilet
- Contaminated food and water
- Flies landing on food
- Crowded homes and poor sanitation
Prevention
- Wash hands with soap after the toilet and before eating, cooking or feeding children
- Drink boiled or treated water
- Keep food covered and away from flies
- Use latrines and dispose of child stools safely
- Breastfeed babies
Treatment
- See a doctor for any diarrhoea with blood
- Antibiotics prescribed by a doctor; finish the full course
- ORS and plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
- Zinc for children, as advised by a health worker
- Keep breastfeeding and feeding
- Do not give anti-diarrhoea medicines, and do not start antibiotics or other prescription medicines without a doctor
Common questions
How is bloody diarrhoea different from watery diarrhoea?
Watery diarrhoea is usually caused by viruses and gets better with ORS and zinc. Diarrhoea with blood usually means a bacterial or parasite infection of the bowel wall and needs to be checked by a doctor.
Can the whole family catch it?
Yes. Shigella spreads very easily, even from a very small amount of stool on the hands. Careful handwashing with soap by everyone in the home is the best protection.