Dysentery

There are two main types of dysentery:

• bacillary dysentery or shigellosis caused by shigella bacteria; this is the most common type of dysentery in the UK
• amoebic dysentery or amoebiasis caused by an amoeba (single-celled parasite) called Entamoeba histolytica, which is mainly found in tropical areas; this type of dysentery is usually picked up abroad

Both types of dysentery are highly infectious and can be passed on if the poo of an infected person gets into another person's mouth.

This can happen if someone with the infection doesn't wash their hands after going to the toilet and then touches food, surfaces or another person.

In the UK, the infection usually affects groups of people in close contact, such as in families,schools and nurseries.

There is also a chance of picking up the infection through anal or anal-oral sex ("rimming").

In developing countries with poor sanitation, infected poo may contaminate the water supply or food, particularly cold uncooked food.