Health encyclopaedia

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Treatment of Dysentery

If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, it’s very important to drink plenty of fluids to replace those lost and stop you getting dehydrated. Water, fruit juice and isotonic (sports) drinks that replace salts and minerals are best. In severe cases, fluid can be given by intravenous drip at a hospital if required.

If you have amoebic dysentery your GP may prescribe metronidazole.

Since most cases of dysentery are short, antibiotics are only used if the dysentery doesn’t clear up on its own. Antibiotics can also be used to stop the spread of dysentery to other people if there is a high risk.

• DandruffDeafblindnessDecongestant drugsDeep vein thrombosisDehydrationDementiaDental abscessDental care for babies and childrenDental decayDepressionDEXA scanDiabetesDiabetes insipidusDiabetic retinopathyDialysisDiaphragms and capsDiarrhoeaDietDifferential testDilatation and curettage (D&C)DiphtheriaDiverticular problemsDouble visionDown's syndromeDrug misuseDry eye syndromeDupuytren's contractureDysenteryDyslexiaDysphagiaDyspraxia

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