infectious disease - a disease transmitted only by a specific kind of contact

amebic dysentery, amoebic dysentery - inflammation of the intestines caused by Endamoeba histolytica; usually acquired by ingesting food or water contaminated with feces; characterized by severe diarrhea

bacillary dysentery, shigellosis - an acute infection of the intestine by Shigella bacteria; characterized by diarrhea and fever and abdominal pains

diarrhea, diarrhoea, looseness of the bowels - frequent and watery bowel movements; can be a symptom of infection or food poisoning or colitis or a gastrointestinal tumor