Diarrhoea secondary to infection of the intestine by micro-organisms that invade the mucosa or damage it by producing cytotoxins.
Most commonly caused by a bacterial infection, with the most frequent being: Shigella spp, Salmonella spp, Campylobacter jejuni, Yersinia enterocolitica, enteroinvasive Escherichia coli and Clostridium difficile.
It most common manifestations are bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain and fever.
The diagnosis is clinical, through questioning and a physical examination. It is confirmed with blood tests and a stool analysis culture.
The primary treatment goal is to replace lost fluid and treat abdominal pain with regular analgesia. In severe cases, immunocompromised patients and Shigella bacterial infections are treated with targeted antibiotics.
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