Question: How can we protect ourselves from dysentery? Give some tips to prevent amoebic and bacillary dysentery.
Answer: Dysentery is a serious condition affecting the large intestine. Dysentery is caused by two organisms i.e. protozoa and bacteria. Amoebic dysentery is caused by protozoa called amoeba, where as bacillary dysentery is caused due to shigella and salmonella enterica bacteria. Both the organisms enter the body via ingested food or polluted water.
Amoebic And Bacillary Dysentery Symptoms
- Colicky pain in the abdomen.
- Diarrhea, with constant desire to evacuate.
- Blood and mucus in stool.
- Fever with rigors.
- Vomiting in some individuals.
- Symptoms of dehydration like thirst, dryness of mouth, wrinkled skin.
Prevention Of Amoebic And Bacillary Dysentery
Since both are caused by feco – oral route, following things are necessary to reduce the spread of infection.
- Safe disposal of excreta.
- Provision of purified and safe drinking water.
- Control of flies and other insects.
- Promotion of personal and domestic hygiene, such as washing of hands with soap after visiting the toilet and before handling or eating food.
- Breast feeding increases resistance to infection in children.
- Food handlers who suffer from dysentery should be excluded from work until they have negative stool sample report for dysentery after taking the medicine.
- Avoid eating raw vegetables and salads. Always wash the vegetables and fruit with water at least thrice before eating.
- Avoid eating food in unhygienic places.