What's the treatment for dysentry?

Question

What's the treatment for dysentry? (both amoebic & bacillary dysentry)

Answer 1

Amoebic and bacillary dysentery are two totally different entities.

Bacillary dysentery is caused by a bacteria called Shigella. It is generally self-limited, but antibiotics are often prescribed, particularly in severe cases.

Amoebic dysentery is caused by amoeba such as Entamoeba histolytica. Because these organisms also have a tendency to form abscesses in other organs (liver, lung, brain), they are always fought with fairly specialized antiparasitic medications (per the link below, "Recommended drugs for treatment of symptomatic intestinal disease and for hepatic abscess are metronidazole and tinidazole. Since these drugs may not eliminate the intraluminal cysts, immediately follow this therapy with treatment with iodoquinol, paromomycin, or diloxanide furoate.").

In both cases, hydration and repletion of electrolytes is the key. Diarrhea contains a lot of sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate, so drinking water alone can make you sicker. Even Gatorade can be a bad deal, as the high carbohydrate content can worsen the diarrhea. See my third link below for the WHO's recommended oral reydration solution.

Answer 2

Fluids, rest, antibiotics.