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Prevention of Dysentery
Dysentery is spread because of poor hygiene measures. To minimise the risk of catching the disease you should:·
- wash hands after using the toilet and regularly throughout the day, particularly after coming in contact with an infected person,
- keep contact with an infected person to a minimum,
- avoid sharing towels and facecloths,
- wash the laundry of an infected person on the hottest setting possible, and
- wash your hands before handling, eating or cooking food, handling babies and feeding the young or the elderly.
Avoid drinking tap water in countries with poor sanitation systems or that are known to carry waterborne infections. Avoid ice cubes, and salad and vegetables that have been washed in local tap water as well.
A child with dysentery shouldn’t return to school until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped. An adult with dysentery should avoid work and get advice from their organisation before returning to work if they are employed in a food or healthcare environment.
