Diarrhoea and Dysentery

Terms You Should Know

• Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea : Loose, frequent stools that may result from taking antibiotic medciations. 

• Bowel movement : When body waste (faeces) is discharged from the rectum and anus.

• Diarrhoea : Loose or watery and often frequent bowel movements. 

• Enteritis : Inflammation of the lining of the small intestine often caused by a bacterial or viral infection. 

• Food-borne illness : An infection caused by consuming foods or drinks that contain harmful bacteria, viruses or parasites. When food is poorly handled, improperly cooked or inadequately stored, harmful organisms can cause illness. Also called food poisoning. 

• Gastroenteritis : Inflammation of the stomach and intestine often caused by bacteria or viruses. 

• Nausea : An unpleasant sensation in the abdomen, which may be followed by vomiting. 

• Rotavirus : The most common cause of acute diarrhoea in children. Rotavirus infection, which usually lasts from three to eight days, produces vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and sometimes abdominal pain. 

• Traveller's diarrhoea : Diarrhoea that usually begins abruptly while traveling or shortly afterward. 

• Vomit : The forceful ejection of stomach contents through the mouth. 

Diarrhoea is a term that is used to describe stools that are more liquid and frequent than normal. There is no absolute definition of what constitutes diarrhoea, but various definitions are utilized for the purpose of research, such as three or more unformed stools within 24 hours. Dysentery is a term used for diarrhoea when there is evidence that the organisms are invading the intestinal wall, causing pus, mucus, and blood to appear in the stool. There is often fever and abdominal cramps as well. 

Causes, Symptoms and Signs
Diagnosis

When should a doctor be consulted
Preventing Dehydration