viral dysentery


dysentery

 [dis´en-ter″e] any of a number of disorders marked by inflammation of the intestine, especially of the colon, with abdominal pain, tenesmus, and frequent stools often containing blood and mucus. The causative agent may be chemical irritants, bacteria, protozoa, viruses, or parasitic worms. adj., adj dysenter´ic. Dysentery is less prevalent today than in years past because of improved sanitary facilities throughout the world; it was formerly a common occurrence in crowded parts of the world and it particularly plagued army camps. It can be dangerous to infants, children, the elderly, and others who are in a weakened condition.
In dysentery, there is an unusually fluid discharge of stool from the bowels, as well as fever, stomach cramps, and spasms of involuntary straining to evacuate, with the passage of little feces. The stool is often mixed with pus and mucus and may be streaked with blood.amebic dysentery see amebic dysentery.bacillary dysentery see bacillary dysentery.viral dysentery a form caused by a virus, occurring in epidemics and marked by acute watery diarrhea. It is common in travelers who have eaten raw salads or fruit, or used contaminated tableware. With proper care, it should subside in 12 to 72 hours.

vi·ral dys·en·ter·y

profuse watery diarrhea thought to be caused by viral infection (for example, Norwalk virus, rotavirus).

vi·ral dys·en·ter·y

(vī'răl dis'ĕn-ter'ē) Profuse watery diarrhea due to, or thought to be due to, infection by a virus.