Intro
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Dysentery is an infection of the intestines
that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.
Other symptoms of dysentery can include:
Painful stomach cramps
Nausea or vomiting
A fever of 38C (100.4F) or above
Dysentery is highly infectious and can be
passed on if you don't take the right precautions, such as properly and regularly
washing your hands
Types
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There are two main types of
dysentery:
Bacillary dysentery or
shigellosis – caused by shigella bacteria; this is the most common type of
dysentery
Amoebic
dysentery or amoebiasis – caused by an amoeba (single-celled parasite) called
Entamoeba histolytica, which is mainly found in tropical areas; this type of
dysentery is usually picked up abroad.
Causes
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Bacillary and amoebic dysentery are both
highly infectious and can be passed on if the faeces (poo) of an infected
person gets into another person's mouth.
This can happen if someone with the
infection doesn't wash their hands after going to the toilet and then touches
food, surfaces or another person.
The infection usually affects groups of
people in close contact, such as in families, schools and nurseries.
There's also a chance of picking up the
infection through anal or anal-oral sex ("rimming").
In developing countries with poor sanitation,
infected faeces may contaminate the water supply or food, particularly cold
uncooked food.
Treatment
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As dysentery usually clears up on its own
after three to seven days, treatment isn't usually needed.
However, it's important to drink plenty of
fluids and use oral rehydration solutions (ORS) if necessary to avoid
dehydration.
Over-the-counter painkillers, such as
paracetamol, can help relieve pain and a fever. Avoid antidiarrhoeal
medications, such as loperamide, because they can make things worse.
You should stay at home until at least 48
hours after the last episode of diarrhoea to reduce the risk of passing the
infection on to others.
Prevention
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Handwashing is the most important way to
stop the spread of infection. You're infectious to other people while you're
ill and have symptoms.
Take the following steps to avoid passing
the illness on to others:
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and
water after going to the toilet. Read more about how to wash your hands.
Stay away from work or school until you've
been completely free from any symptoms for at least 48 hours.
Help young children to wash their hands
properly.
Don't prepare food for others until you've
been symptom free for at least 48 hours.
Don't go swimming until you've been symptom
free for at least 48 hours.
Where possible, stay away from other people
until your symptoms have stopped.
Wash all dirty clothes, bedding and towels
on the hottest possible cycle of the washing machine.
Clean toilet seats and toilet bowls, and
flush handles, taps and sinks with detergent and hot water after use, followed
by a household disinfectant.
Avoid sexual contact until you've been
symptom free for at least 48 hours.
As shigella is easily passed on to others,
you may need to submit stool (poo) samples to be given the all clear to return
to work, school, nursery or a childminder.
