Dysentery: Causes Symptoms and Treatment in Nepal

Dysentery is an inflammatory disease of the intestine especially of the colon or it is also known as diarrhoea with visible blood or mucous in the faeces along with severe abdominal cramps.

What are the causes of Dysentery?

• Dysentery is caused by the consumption of contaminated foods and drinking water with infected faecal matter containing different causative agents (microorganisms). The disease is more prevalent in the rainy season of Nepal. Locals and travellers to Nepal can get travel diarrhoea. 
• In accordance with the causative agents dysentery can be divided into two  types:
  • Amoebic dysentery: It is caused by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica (E.histoltyca).
  • Bacillary dysentery: It is caused by bacteria such as Escherichia coli    (E.coli) or four other species of Shigella. It is the most common type of dysentery.

In both types of dysentery, the infection spreads due to:

1. Lack of hand hygiene after using toilets and before and after eating food.
2. Drinking water without any purification measures.
3. Eating infected foods.
4. Eating foods cooked in an unhygienic environment (street foods).

What are the signs and symptoms of Dysentery?

The typical signs and symptoms of dysentery include:

1. Watery stool with blood,
2. Mucous or pus in the faeces.
3. Abdominal cramps
4. Fever and chills
5. Nausea and vomiting
6. Dehydration
7. Fatigue

What are Dysentery’s Treatment Methods?

How can you prevent Dysentery?

• Handwashing properly using soap and water each time after using the toilets. And before and after our meal.

• Consuming clean and safe drinking water.
• Washing vegetables and fruits properly and cooking foods properly.
• Avoid foods cooked in unhygienic circumstances such as from street vendors.
• Avoid eating raw foods and vegetables.
• Make a habit of using sanitiser to clean your hands.