Dysentery
Overview
Dysentery is when an infection gives you diarrhoea with blood in it. It usually gets better by itself but it's important to see a GP if you or your child have bloody diarrhoea.
Symptoms
Dysentery usually gets better by itself within 7 days. The most important thing is to prevent dehydration. After seeing a GP, there are things you can do to help your recovery. You should: drink plenty of fluids, particularly water, so that you regularly pee during the day and do not feel thirstyuse oral rehydration sachets you mix with water to make a drinkeat when you feel able to – you do not need to avoid any foods Do not use anti-diarrhoea medicine if you have dysentery.
Treatment
You may needantibioticsto treat dysentery, depending on what's causing it. You'll need to give a poo sample to find out the cause. If your symptoms are severe, you may need treatment in hospital.
Prevention
You can help reduce your chance of catching or spreading dysentery by: washing your hands with soap and water regularly, especially after using the toilet and before preparing food or eatingwashing clothes, towels or bedding with poo on them on a hot washcleaning toilet seats, flush handles, taps and door handles every dayusing a condom on the penis, or a dental dam on the anus during oral sexstaying off work, nursery or school until 48 hours after the diarrhoea stops If you’re travelling in places without a clean water supply, there are ways to reduce your risk of getting dysentery. only drink bottled water or tap water that's been boiled only drink bottled water or tap water that's been boiled brush your teeth using bottled or boiled water brush your teeth using bottled or boiled water wash your hands with soap and water after going to the toilet and before eating or preparing food wash your hands with soap and water after going to the toilet and before eating or preparing food do not eat ice cream or have ice in your drinks do not eat ice cream or have ice in your drinks do not eat uncooked fruit and vegetables (including salads) that you have not washed with bottled or boiled water and prepared yourself do not eat uncooked fruit and vegetables (including salads) that you have not washed with bottled or boiled water and prepared yourself