Amoebic Dysentery: Prevention

To prevent amebic dysentery, attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors.

Behavioral risk factors

  • Diet
    • Consumption of beverages suspected of being contaminated, as well as food, in endemic areas

General hygiene measures

In foreign countries, to the extent that hygiene standards are not met, the following rules should also be observed:

  • On raw milk and egg dishes, such as ice cream, pudding or mayonnaise and raw food products, such as salads, best avoided completely
  • Vegetables, meat, fish and seafood are free of pathogens if they are sufficiently heated (core temperature at least 60 ° C).
  • Do without fruit juices and ice cubes
  • Drink only from original sealed bottles
  • Water should be boiled for five minutes before drinking. Only in this way the parasites are killed.
  • For brushing teeth, travelers in endemic areas should use only mineral water.

“Cook it, boil it, peel it or forget it!”

Other prevention tips

  • Affected individuals should have their own towels.
  • Children should not be sent to a care facility or school during diarrhea. Only again when the last diarrhea at least 48 hours ago.
  • Up to two weeks after the last diarrhea should be avoided visits to the swimming pool.

Primary and secondary prevention for infants and young children

  • Breastfeeding (breast milk)
  • Observance of general hygiene measures (see above) including hygiene in the handling of food in the context of the preparation, presentation and consumption of food.
  • Wash hands after changing diapers (parents).