Dysentery

Dysentery is a severe diarrheal illness often associated with blood in the feces.

There are two major types: shigellosis, which is caused by one of several types of Shigella bacteria; and amoebic dysentery, which is caused by the amoeba Entameba histolytica.

Shigellosis

A patient with shigellosis will often recover without antibiotic treatment. However, treatment by antibiotics is usually recommended because the disease is relatively severe, and it is highly contagious. It can be transmitted by "fomites", for example clothes, doorknobs, toilet seats, etc. The antibiotics norfloxacin, ampicillin and cotrimaxozole may be used.

See shigellosis for more information.

Amoebic dysentery

Amoebic dysentery is transmitted by contaminated water, and is well known as a "travellers dysentery", although it is occasionally seen in Western countries. Liver infection, and subsequent amoebic abcesses can occur. It can be treated with metronidazole or related azole drugs.