The major differences between Diarrhea and Dysentery are as follows:
| S.N. | 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. |
| 2. | The patient may or may not be accompanied by cramps or a pain. | The patient usually complains of cramps and pain in the lower abdominal area. |
| 3. | Fever is less common in diarrhea. | Fever is more common in dysentery. |
| 4. | Diarrhea is a disease that affects the small bowel. | Dysentery is a disease that affects the colon. |
| 5. | Diarrheal infection is located and targets only intestinal lumen and upper epithelial cells. | Dysentery not only upper epithelial cells are targeted but colon ulceration also results. |
| 6. | There is no cell death in diarrhea and the infection is only caused because of the release of some toxins by the infecting agent. | When a person gets dysentery, the upper epithelial cells are attacked and destroyed by the pathogen or disease causing agent. |
| 7. | The antimicrobial that are used to treat diarrhea do not eradicate the toxin left behind. | Treatment for dysentery can eradicate the pathogen that is causing the infection and stop the inflammation. |
| 8. | The effects of diarrhea are not that serious, apart from a risk of dehydration. | Dysentery can cause a lot of complications, if left untreated. |
| 9. | Diarrhea is mostly viral. E. coli can also cause watery diarrhea. | Dysentery is mostly bacterial. E coli, Shigella, and Salmonella are the most common causative organisms |
| 10. | Diarrhea does not need antibiotics. Oral rehydration solutions or intravenous fluid therapy may be used. | Dysentery almost always requires antibiotic treatment. Intravenous antibiotics may be needed in severely ill children. |