You usually get amoebic dysentery after eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. It's more common in countries where people don't have clean water or the facilities to keep kitchens and toilets as clean as we're used to.^[6][7]

If you're travelling in a developing country, there are things you can do to reduce your chances of getting amoebic dysentery.^[8]

• Don't drink tap water or drinks served with ice in them. Ice is usually made from tap water. Instead, drink bottled water (with an unbroken seal), fizzy drinks, or hot coffee or tea. You can make water safe to drink by boiling it for a few minutes. You can also use water-purifying tablets and a filter to make water safe to drink. You can buy these from camping shops. Don't use the tap water even to brush your teeth unless you're sure it's safe.

• Avoid drinking unpasteurised milk or eating dairy products made from unpasteurised milk.

• Avoid eating raw fruits and vegetables unless you can peel them yourself.

• Don't eat cooked food that isn't piping hot when it's served.

• Don't eat food from street vendors.

• Wash your hands after going to the toilet and before eating.

If you become ill with diarrhoea after you've been travelling, it's important to tell your doctor about your trip. It will affect the kind of treatment you need.^[9]

Your doctor can advise you about making sure you don't pass on the infection to other people. If you work with food or you're a health care worker, you may need to stay off work until your symptoms have cleared up.^[10]

Glossary

diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is when you have loose, watery stools and you need to go to the toilet far more often than usual. Doctors say you have diarrhoea if you need to go to the toilet more than three times a day.

For more terms related to Amoebic dysentery

Citations