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However, blood and mucus in the stool may also indicate other conditions. Share on PinterestЮлия Хвощ/Getty ImagesIntussusception occurs when a part of the bowel is pulled back into itself or another piece of the bowel. This condition causes people to pass bloody stool that looks like currant jelly. Blood in the stool can also signify other conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In some cases, blood in the stool can also indicate the presence of polyps or anal fissures. Keep reading to learn more about symptoms a person experiences with currant jelly stool, what causes this condition, and how to treat it. Appearance and additional symptoms Symptoms of bleeding inside the gastrointestinal tract may also include: tirednessfeeling dizzy or faintvomiting substances that look like coffee groundsblood in vomitabdominal pain or cramping difficulty breathing Not all cases of blood in the stool are serious. However, anyone experiencing bloody stool with any of the above symptoms should visit a medical professional as only a doctor can identify the cause and provide a treatment plan. A parent or caregiver should immediately take their children exhibiting these or other symptoms to a doctor. Currant jelly stool can relate to a range of conditions. Knowing a person’s age and health history can help a doctor diagnose the right condition in each person. Intussusception The appearance of currant jelly stool is due to a mix of mucus and blood in the stool. With young children, currant jelly stool is often a sign of intussusception. This condition can block the digestion of liquid or solid food. Besides currant jelly stool, children with intussusception may exhibit other symptoms like vomiting. In advanced cases, they may also become weak and have a fever. Approximately 90% of intussusception cases occur in children under 2 years. In this condition, a piece of the intestine folds into another section. Many cases of intussusception respond to an enema and do not require further treatment. In more advanced cases, people may need surgery to remove a piece of the bowel. Doctors do not clearly understand the cause of intussusception in children. However, in adults, the presence of intussusception may indicate the presence of cancer. Other symptoms Some other symptoms of intussusception may include: abdominal colic in infants and toddlers abdominal swellingvomiting severe abdominal pain at intervals of 15–20 minutes Diagnosis A medical professional will perform imaging tests to confirm intussusception. Ultrasounds are the most common and effective option for diagnosing intussusception. After doctors diagnose intussusception, they may perform an air enema to treat this condition. People who do not respond to an air enema may require surgery. Juvenile retention polyps Polyps may also be the main cause of children’s bleeding in the lower intestine. These growths only occur in about 1% of children. These polyps may relate to a genetic condition called juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS). Individuals with JPS typically develop polyps in the digestive tract by age 20. For diagnostic criteria, people must satisfy one of the following for diagnosis:have juvenile polyps everywhere in the digestive tracta family history of JPS with any number of polypshave more than five colorectal polyps Infants and toddlers with JPS may also exhibit:diarrheaanemiafailure to thrive In most cases, juvenile retention polyps have a low chance of leading to cancer. Diagnosis and treatment A doctor can diagnose JPS through DNA tests. Identifying specific gene mutations can indicate the presence of JPS. Treating JPS most often involves surgery to remove polyps. Individuals with severe cases may also need surgery to remove part of their stomach or colon. Inflammatory bowel disease IBD Individuals with IBD experience chronic inflammation throughout their gastrointestinal tract. This condition generally begins between ages 15 and 40, although older individuals can also experience late-onset IBD. Doctors differentiate IBD into Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). Symptoms People with IBD may experience bloody stools that resemble currant jelly. They may also have symptoms like: unexplained weight losstirednesspain in the abdominal areaongoing diarrhea Diagnosis A medical professional can diagnose IBD through:stool samplesblood testsimaging tests Learn more about diagnostic and imaging techniques for UC. Treatment Treatment can include:anti-inflammatory medicationscorticosteroidsantibioticsbiologicsimmunomodulators Read on for more about medications for UC. Adjusting diet and other lifestyle factors can also improve symptoms in those with IBD. 2017 research has shown that a plant-based diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help manage IBD symptoms. People with IBD should consult a doctor to determine the right treatment approach. Peptic ulcer Peptic ulcers are sores that occur within the intestine. They can occur when acids used in digestion damage the lining of the stomach or small intestine. Peptic ulcers can occur in people of all ages but more in adults than children. Some of the most common causes of peptic ulcers include Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug usage. Symptoms These ulcers may cause bloody stool or dark black and sticky stool. Other symptoms of a peptic ulcer can include: stomach pain that comes and goesbloating or burpingnausea and vomitinganemialightheadedness Diagnosis and treatment A doctor can diagnose a peptic ulcer by looking inside the stomach and small intestine with an endoscope. The camera at the end of this instrument sends back images of the body’s interior. Medical professionals can diagnose H. pylori infection using:endoscopyblood testsstool samplesurea breath tests Treatment for peptic ulcers often involves proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These drugs reduce the amount of acid in the stomach and small intestine. In most cases, treatment with PPIs is sufficient to treat the ulcers within several weeks. If H. pylori infection causes ulcers, doctors will prescribe antibiotics to eradicate the infection and PPIs. However, if caused by NSAIDs, medical professionals recommend avoiding further use and managing with PPIs. Diverticulosis Diverticulosis involves the growth of diverticula or small pouches that push outward from the intestine. This condition is more common in adults and occurs in up to 50% of people older than 60. Symptoms Most people with diverticulosis do not experience symptoms. They may experience mild cramping, constipation, or bloating. If diverticula become infected, doctors refer to this as diverticulitis. Individuals may experience more severe symptoms like:gastrointestinal bleeding or tearsnausea and vomitingpain in the abdominal areacrampingchills and fever Diagnosis and treatment To diagnose diverticular disease, doctors review a person’s medical history, perform a physical exam, and order tests such as X-rays or colonoscopies. Research shows that a low fiber diet may cause diverticulosis. Doctors may prescribe a liquid diet, antibiotics, or anti-inflammatories in advanced cases. Doctors only indicate the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories in cases of diverticulitis, not simply diverticulosis. However, people can treat most mild cases of diverticulosis with at-home care. Anal fissures Anal fissures are small tears in the skin that lines the anus. These tears may result from hard or dry bowel movements or frequent diarrhea. Symptoms Both children and adults can experience anal fissures. Some of the more common symptoms of anal fissures include: pain while passing stoolbleeding during or after a bowel movementtraces of blood in the stool Diagnosis and treatment A doctor will ask a person about their symptoms and bowel habits. By performing a physical exam, they can see the fissure by parting a person’s buttocks. A digital rectal examination is when a doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into a person’s rectum to feel for abnormalities. Most anal fissures respond well to home-based care. This may include a high fiber diet or stool softeners to make stools easier to pass. Warm baths can also help provide relief and promote healing. Occasionally, doctors may measure anal sphincter pressure for fissures that have not responded to simple treatments. Learn more about natural stool softeners. Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids are swollen veins that occur in the lower part of the anus and rectum. When the vessel walls stretch, they can become irritated. Bright-red blood means the bleeding has come from somewhere near the anus. This is a typical sign of hemorrhoids. Mucus can also sometimes be present. Both external and internal hemorrhoids can cause rectal bleeding. Symptoms The most common symptoms of hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are: bright red blooditchy anusthe feeling of still needing to poo after going to the toiletmucus after wipinglumps around anuspain around anus Physical findings may also include:skin tagsfistulas or fissuresprolapsed or thrombosed hemorrhoid Diagnosis and treatment Doctors will perform a physical exam and a visual digital examination to help identify hemorrhoids. Medical professionals will also perform an anoscopy to examine the anal canal and rectum. In complicated cases, surgeons examine people with anesthesia. Conservative therapy for hemorrhoids includes:increased intake of dietary fiberstool softeners or laxativesincreased water intakeincrease physical activitygood anal hygiene These measures can help decrease straining and the pressure associated with passing stool. Other minimally invasive options are available for people that do not respond to conservative therapy, such as:rubber band ligationsclerotherapyinfrared photocoagulation In more persistent or severe cases, doctors may perform surgical hemorrhoidectomy. Infectious causes Another cause of rectal bleeding with mucus includes certain bacteria causing dysentery. Common bacterial causes include:E. coliShigellaSalmonellaCampylobacterYersinia This bacteria can result in conditions such as proctitis — an inflammation of the rectum lining, or bacterial gastroenteritis. Symptoms Some of the common symptoms of proctitis, as a result of bacterial infections, include:feeling a constant urge to have a bowel movementan urgent need to have a bowel movementdiarrhea or constipationanal or rectal cramping and painpassing blood with stoolrectal bleedingpassing mucus or pus with stool Diagnosis and treatment Doctors will usually ask individuals about their symptoms. They may request stool samples to identify the type of bacterium. Antibiotics are the usual treatment for bacterial infections. Other possible causes Occasional blood in the stool may not necessarily be a cause for concern. However, currant jelly stool can signify a serious illness. For example, rectal bleeding can be a sign of colorectal cancer. Other signs of colorectal cancer can include:abdominal painweaknessunexpected weight lossbowel movement changes Only a medical professional can diagnose and treat conditions that cause bloody stool. Anyone experiencing ongoing and unexplained bowel changes should visit a doctor to learn more. Summary Currant jelly stool is composed of stool with blood and mucus. In infants and young children, it is often a sign of intussusception. Other conditions like IBD, polyps and anal fissures can also cause bloody stools in people of all ages. Most of these conditions respond well to minimally invasive treatment. Individuals experiencing bloody stool should consult with a doctor to receive a diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan. Last medically reviewed on August 30, 2022Crohn's / IBDGastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology 30 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Anal fissure. (n.d.).https://fascrs.org/patients/diseases-and-conditions/a-z/anal-fissureBacterial infections. (n.d.).https://medlineplus.gov/bacterialinfections.htmlBradshaw, C. J., et al. (2018). 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(2022).https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd/overview-of-inflammatory-bowel-diseaseWhat is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? (2022).https://www.cdc.gov/ibd/what-is-IBD.htm#symptomsFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Megan Soliman, MD — By Carolyn Farnsworth on August 30, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageCan food cause bloody stools? Causes and when to contact a doctorMedically reviewed by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD Some foods and medical conditions can cause blood to appear in a person's stools. 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