Information AboutDysentery |
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Etiology 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 " Fomite s", for example clothes, doorknobs, toilet seats, etc. The antibiotics Norfloxacin , Ampicillin and Co-trimoxazole may be used. Hospitalization may be required if the disease becomes serious. See Shigellosis for more information. Amoebic dysentery Amoebic dysentery is transmitted by contaminated Water , and is well known as a "travelers dysentery" because of its prevalence in developing nations, or " Montezuma's Revenge " (particularly in Mexico ), although it is occasionally seen in industrialized countries. Liver infection, and subsequent amoebic abscesses can occur. It can be treated with Metronidazole or related Azole drugs. It can be very bad for you. Wash your food before you even eat fruit or vegetables like apples and oranges. Symptoms The main symptom of Epidemic dysentery is bloody diarrhea. Other common symptoms include abdominal cramps, fever and rectal pain. Less frequent complications can include a form of blood poisoning known as Sepsis , seizure and Kidney failure. This condition is caused by amoebae, tiny organisms that exist as parasites and are spread through contaminated food and water when either is swallowed. From ingestion, they move into the intestines via the stomach. Amoebae spread by forming infective cysts which can be found in feces and spread if whoever touches it does not wash their hands. There are also free amoebae, or “trophozoites”, that do not form cysts. People at risk Dysentery often poses a major threat in crowded areas with inadequate Sanitation , poor Hygiene and limited supplies of safe Water . For instance, it was a major problem among soldiers in the trenches of the first world war, where Sanitation was, at best, rudimentary. The disease is more likely to thrive in hot, humid and rainy conditions. Treatment In adults, dysentery caused by bacteria usually subsides spontaneously. But in children, and other vulnerable groups, the condition can be treated with antibiotics. However, ''Shigella dysenteriae'' type 1 (Sd1) has, in recent years, become increasingly resistant to drug treatments. Among people who have become dehydrated as a result of the disease, the key is to replenish their fluid stocks as quickly as possible. This can be done using oral rehydration salts or intravenous fluids. Amoebic dysentery is usually treated with a combination of drugs. These include an amoebicide to kill the Parasite , an Antibiotic to treat any associated bacterial Infection , and a drug to combat infection of the Liver and other tissues. Cultural significance
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