Health
Why persons suffering from dysentery shouldn’t cook, swim or have sex — Expert
Dr Adebola Adejimi is a consultant public health physician at the University of Lagos and Lagos University Teaching Hospital. She tells TOBI AWORINDE about the risks of dysentery and how to prevent infection
What is dysentery?
Dysentery is an intestinal infectious disease resulting in inflammation of the intestines, especially the colon, and causing severe diarrhoea with blood or mucus in the stool. Other symptoms may include abdominal cramps or pain, nausea, vomiting, fever with temperature of about 38°C or higher and dehydration, which can become life-threatening if left untreated. This usually lasts for between three and seven days. However, the signs and symptoms can be mild and disappear within a few days in some cases. Most of the global burden of this disease is contributed by the developing countries where over 60 per cent of the fatalities are reported among children under five years old.
What are the causes of dysentery?
Dysentery is usually spread as a result of poor hygiene, as well as poor sanitation and improper sewage disposal. The infection is often spread through contact with food or water that has been contaminated with faecal matter. Good hygiene practices, such as hand washing and proper sanitation, can help prevent dysentery and keep it from spreading. Dysentery is most often caused by shigella bacteria called Shigella bacillus or an amoeba called Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica). Bacillary dysentery, also known as shigellosis, produces the most severe symptoms, while Amoebic dysentery, also known as amoebiasis, is more common in the tropics. Other causes of dysentery diarrhoea include parasitic worm infections, chemical irritation, or viral infections.
Can you speak more about the symptoms of dysentery?
The symptoms of dysentery range from mild to severe. A key symptom of dysentery is bloody diarrhoea. Mild symptoms include a slight abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhoea. These usually appear from one to three days of infection, and the patient recovers within a week. Often, symptoms are so mild that a doctor’s visit may not be required, and the problem resolves within a few days. Other symptoms of dysentery include intense abdominal pain, fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, watery diarrhoea, which can contain blood, mucus or pus, malaise, fatigue, painful passing of stools and intermittent constipation.
In amoebiasis, amoeba can move through the intestinal wall and spread into the bloodstream to infect other organs. Ulcers can develop in the intestines and these may bleed, causing blood in stools. Symptoms may persist for several weeks. The amoebae may continue living within the human host after symptoms have disappeared but the symptoms may recur when the person’s immune system is weaker. Treatment reduces the risk of the amoebae surviving in the human host.
Who is at risk of dysentery?
People who live in environments with poor sanitation are at risk of having dysentery. Those who come in contact with faecal matter from people who have dysentery are most at risk. This contact may be through contaminated water, food and other drinks, as well as through swimming in contaminated water, such as lakes or pools. People who come in contact with infected persons with poor hand hygiene practices are also at risk of dysentery.
Even though anyone can develop dysentery at any age, children are most at risk of shigellosis. It can easily spread by taking contaminated food or drink. Shigellosis mostly spreads from one person to another among people who are in close contact with an infected person in places such as day care centers, schools and nursing homes.
What is the difference between bacterial and amoebic dysentery?
Bacterial dysentery, also known as shigellosis, is caused by infection with bacteria from Shigella, Campylobacter, Salmonella, or enterohemorrhagic E. coli. This type produces the most severe symptoms and mostly related to poor hygiene. On the other hand, Amoebic dysentery, also known as amoebiasis, is caused by a single-celled parasite, Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica), an amoeba that infects the intestines. Amoebic dysentery is less common in the developed world. It is more common in the tropics with poor sanitary conditions. The amoebae group together to form a cyst, which emerges from the body in human faeces. The amoebae can contaminate food and water and infect other humans. They can survive for long periods outside the body and can also linger on people’s hands after using the bathroom.
How can dysentery be distinguished from cholera?
Dysentery is an inflammation of the intestine characterised by the frequent passage of faeces with blood and mucus. Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the causative bacterium, which is known as Vibrio cholerae. The major symptom of cholera is massive watery diarrhoea that occurs because of a toxin secreted by the bacteria that stimulates the cells of the small intestine to secrete fluid. Cholera stools may contain faecal matter and bile in the early phases of the disease. The characteristic symptom of severe cholera is the passage of profuse “rice-water” stool, a watery stool with flecks of mucous. It typically has a ‘rice-water’ appearance and a fishy odour. There are several strains of V. cholerae and the severity of the disease is based on the particular infectious strain.
How is dysentery diagnosed?
Dysentery can be diagnosed by taking adequate history, physical examination and laboratory investigations, including testing of the stool sample to determine which bacteria are present. Laboratory results will reveal whether the infection is due to Shigella or Entamoeba histolyca infection. Other tests to decide whether an antibiotic will help can be performed. If you notice the symptoms of dysentery, please see your doctor because it can lead to severe dehydration and become life-threatening, if left untreated.
How is it treated?
Prompt medical care is required for bloody diarrhoea. Treatment may include increased fluid intake, oral rehydration solutions, IV (intravenous) fluids and antibiotics. Mild shigellosis can be treated just by resting and taking plenty of fluids. If treatment is necessary, it will depend on the results of the investigations. However, any patient with diarrhoea or vomiting should drink plenty of fluids.
Severe shigellosis can be treated with antibiotics, but the bacteria that cause it are often resistant. If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic and you don’t see improvement after a couple of days, let the doctor know. The strain of Shigella bacteria may be resistant, and your doctor may need to adjust your treatment plan.
Amoebic dysentery can be treated with metronidazole, tinidazole or secnidazole which should be based on doctor’s prescription.. These drugs kill the parasites. In some cases, a follow-up drug is given to make sure all the parasites are gone. In severe cases, your doctor may recommend an IV drip to replace fluids and prevent dehydration.
What are the repercussions of not treating dysentery?
Complications of dysentery are few, but some of them can be severe. Frequent diarrhoea and vomiting can quickly lead to dehydration. In infants and young children, this can quickly become life-threatening.
If amoebae spread to the liver, an abscess can form there. In some cases, complications of dysentery can include post-infectious arthritis, which affects about two per cent of people who get a particular strain of the Shigella bacteria called S. flexneri. These people can develop joint pain, eye irritation, and painful urination. Post-infectious arthritis can last for months or years.
There are also blood stream infections, which are rare and most likely to affect people with weak immune systems, such as people with human immunodeficiency virus or cancer. Shigella dysenteriae can also cause the red blood cells to block the entrance to the kidneys, leading to Hemolytic uremic syndrome, characterised by anaemia, low platelet count, and kidney failure. Patients have also experienced seizures after infection. Sometimes, young children can have generalised seizures.
How deadly is dysentery?
Dysentery can be fatal without adequate hydration. It is an infection of the intestinal tract and many people have mild symptoms. It is important to practise good hygiene to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.
How long does dysentery last?
Shigellosis usually goes away within a week and may not require prescription medications. It is important to practise good hand hygiene always. If you have shigellosis, avoid preparing food for other people and swimming in public places. People who have shigellosis should avoid working with children, preparing food, or having intimate contacts with others until the diarrhoea has stopped. Most people with amoebic dysentery are sick for a few days to several weeks. If you suspect amoebic dysentery, it is important to get immediate medical attention. Your doctor will prescribe medication to get rid of the parasite that causes this type of dysentery.
What preventive measures can be taken against dysentery?
Dysentery mostly stems from poor hygiene and it can be prevented through good sanitation practices. To reduce the risk of infection, people should wash their hands regularly with soap and water, and especially after using the toilet and before preparing or touching food. Make sure you eat food from reliable sources. Make sure your food is properly cooked and your fruit is properly washed before eating.
Avoid water from unknown sources and only drink water from reliable sources. It is important to make sure you drink bottled and sealed water and clean the top of the rim of drinks before drinking it. Safe sources of water include bottled water with unbroken seal, tap water that has been boiled for at least one minute; tap water that has been filtered through a one-micron filter and treated with chlorine or iodine tablets. It is best to use purified water to clean the teeth. This can reduce the frequency of dysentery by up to 35 per cent.
To prevent dysentery, it is important to be careful when changing a sick baby’s diaper, and not to swallow water when swimming. When travelling or going to these areas where dysentery is common, you should avoid drinks with ice cubes; drinks that are not bottled and sealed; food and beverages sold by street vendors; peeled fruit or vegetables, and unpasteurised milk, cheese or dairy foods.
In our communities, it is important to provide adequate potable water as well as improved water and sanitation facilities for proper hygiene. Household water should be properly treated and stored. Lack of access to safe and clean drinking water, as well as basic sanitation can promote the spread of dysentery. Adequate sanitation and toilet facilities for proper sewage disposal should be provided in homes and public places.
In 2024, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, revealed that Nigeria had about 55,000 licensed doctors.
Speaking during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Pate disclosed that no fewer than 16,000 doctors had left the country in the past five years, while about 17,000 others had been transferred out of active service.
Worrisomely, a new revelation by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, indicates that the number of practising doctors in Nigeria has declined from 55,000 to 40,000 within just one year.
In his presentation at a one-day leadership dialogue in Lagos themed “Strengthening PHC Systems: A Joint Leadership Dialogue,” Abayomi identified manpower shortage as one of the most critical challenges facing the health sector.
The dialogue, organised by the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board with support from development partners, addressed barriers hindering PHCs from meeting expectations and proposed practical solutions for building sustainable PHCs with lasting impact.
Abayomi stated that Lagos currently has only 7,000 doctors serving an estimated 30 million residents, far below the number needed for optimal care delivery.
The commissioner raised concerns over the acute shortage of health workers in the state, disclosing that the state requires an additional 33,000 doctors to meet the healthcare demands of its growing population.
“Nigeria currently has about 40,000 doctors against an estimated need of 300,000, while Lagos alone requires about 33,000 doctors but has only about 7,000,” he said.
According to him, Lagos’ doctor-to-population ratio remains far below what is required for optimal healthcare delivery, noting that the state’s doctors are serving an estimated population of nearly 30 million people.
To address the shortfall, Abayomi said the state government is investing in its newly established University of Medicine and Health.
“Within five years, UMH will produce about 2,500 healthcare workers annually, including laboratory scientists and other essential cadres,” he stated.
The mass exodus of healthcare professionals popularly known as japa syndrome, especially doctors, nurses, and pharmacists has remained a major concern in Nigeria.
A 2017 survey conducted by a Nigerian polling organisation in partnership with Nigeria Health Watch revealed that about 88 per cent of Nigerian doctors were seeking job opportunities abroad at the time.
The President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Bala Audu, recently warned that Nigeria has moved beyond passive brain drain and has become a direct recruitment hub for foreign governments seeking skilled medical professionals.
In an interview, Audu revealed that international recruiters now visit Nigeria to directly hire doctors—particularly specialists such as obstetricians, gynaecologists, and paediatricians—offering them superior working conditions, remuneration, and infrastructure.
He lamented that while Nigeria’s population continues to grow and mortality rates remain high, the country is losing specialists at an alarming rate.
“Many of our doctors are not even going abroad to look for jobs. Foreign governments now come into Nigeria to pick doctors and take them away,” Audu said.
“We are still having more births, yet maternal deaths remain high because the skilled birth attendants who should care for these women are reducing every day.”
Audu added that in some specialties, the number of Nigerian doctors practising abroad may already exceed those still working within the country, a situation worsened by the government’s failure to significantly improve doctors’ welfare despite existing policy frameworks.
Experts have warned that with the current pace of emigration, it would be impossible for Nigeria to produce enough health workers to meet its growing healthcare demands. They estimate that it would take at least 20 years to train the over 400,000 health workers required to close the gap.
A former President of the NMA, Prof. Mike Ogirima, described Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio as “horrible,” noting that the country currently has about one doctor to 8,000 patients—far below the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of one doctor to 600 patients.
Nigerian health communication researcher, Ifesinachi Ayogu, has attributed the rising number of cancer-related deaths in the country to the neglect of routine self-breast examination among women and routine Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) testing among men.
Ayogu told journalists on Monday that the failure to prioritise regular screening had contributed significantly to late detection of breast and prostate cancers, which are among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Nigeria.
He said many cancer cases were only discovered when the disease had reached advanced stages, making treatment more complex and survival chances lower.
According to him, the increasing burden of cancer deaths calls for a more intentional and sustained approach to cancer awareness, early detection, and preventive health behaviour.
“Early detection saves lives, but many people are not practising simple, routine screening that could help detect cancer early,” Ayogu said.
He noted that breast cancer and prostate cancer were often manageable when detected early, but ignorance, fear, stigma, and limited awareness continued to discourage people from carrying out regular checks.
The researcher explained that self-breast examination allows women to notice unusual lumps or changes early, while routine PSA testing helps detect prostate abnormalities before symptoms become severe.
Ayogu said deaths resulting from breast and prostate cancers were often preventable, stressing that delayed diagnosis was a major factor contributing to high mortality rates.
He added that many Nigerians still lacked basic information on how to conduct self-breast examinations, when to go for PSA tests, and where to seek appropriate medical care.
The health communication researcher emphasised the need for community-based education, especially in rural areas, using trusted platforms such as churches, markets, women’s groups, and radio programmes to promote routine screening practices.
He also urged healthcare providers and public health institutions to intensify public education on cancer prevention and ensure that screening information was simple, accurate, and accessible.
Ayogu advised individuals with a family history of breast or prostate cancer to be particularly vigilant about routine screening and healthy lifestyle practices.
He stressed that promoting routine self-breast examination and PSA testing would play a critical role in reducing late presentation and improving cancer survival outcomes in Nigeria.
Ifeshinachi Ayogu is a PhD graduate student, at the University of Oklahoma United States of America, his core interest is cancer communication, according to him, he believes that the next breakthroughs in cancer care for Nigerian women and men will not come from medicine alone.
The Federal Government said it had intensified monitoring and screening procedures at all points of entry in response to the ongoing outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Director of Port Health Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Akpan Nse, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday.
Nse also noted that additional staff had been employed to strengthen border surveillance in the country.
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo declared an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Kasai Province, where 28 suspected cases and 16 deaths, including four health workers, had been reported as of September 5, 2025.
The outbreak comes at a time when much of Central and West Africa is grappling with overlapping health and humanitarian crises, including cholera, malnutrition, and population displacement.
The DRC’s last outbreak of Ebola virus disease occurred in the north-western Equateur Province in April 2022.
It was brought under control within three months.
In Kasai Province, previous Ebola outbreaks were reported in 2007 and 2008. Overall, the country has experienced 15 outbreaks since the disease was first identified in 1976.
Ebola virus disease is a rare but severe, often fatal illness in humans.
It is transmitted to people through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected animals such as fruit bats (believed to be the natural hosts). Human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person, contaminated objects, or the body of someone who died from the disease.
In the ongoing outbreak, samples tested on September 3 at the National Institute of Biomedical Research in the capital, Kinshasa, confirmed that the cause was Ebola Zaire, a strain of the Ebola virus.
Dr Nse noted that although Nigeria was at risk of importing the virus due to high levels of international travel with the DRC, Port Health Services was on alert and had strengthened surveillance to prevent this.
He said, “We have intensified surveillance at all points of entry across the country—airports, land borders, and seaports. Every inbound traveller coming from Congo to Nigeria is thoroughly screened, and we collect their medical history through mandatory forms.
“We have also reactivated our portals. Every passenger on every flight coming to Nigeria from Congo is screened upon arrival. This applies to airports, seaports, and land borders. Even if passengers transit through Congo on their way to Nigeria, they must undergo screening.
“In addition, with support from WHO, we have recruited more staff to enhance surveillance. Increasing the workforce allows us to effectively prevent the importation of the virus and ensure thorough screening at all borders.”
He added that some private organisations had partnered the Federal Government to ensure that thermal scanners at airports remained fully functional.
Meanwhile, the WHO has released $500,000 from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support the response to the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the DR Congo.
Announcing this at a media briefing on global health issues on Friday, the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, disclosed that 28 suspected cases and 16 deaths had been reported so far, including four health workers.
He highlighted that the UN body already had staff on the ground in Kasai, with more on the way.
“We’re joining rapid response teams to trace contacts and find cases; we’re collecting and testing samples, and we’re providing technical expertise in surveillance, infection prevention and control, treatment, risk communication, and more. WHO has also delivered personal protective equipment, laboratory equipment, medical supplies, and a mobile laboratory.
“We had previously prepositioned 2000 doses of Ebola vaccine in Kinshasa, which we are releasing to vaccinate contacts and health workers. This is the 16th outbreak of Ebola in the DRC, and the government has rich experience from those previous outbreaks,” the WHO boss stated.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says the country has recorded a total of 807 suspected cases of cerebrospinal meningitis, and 74 deaths from 22 states as of March 26, 2025
The NCDC stated that the Case Fatality Rate is at 9.2 per cent as of March 26, 2025.3.27
The centre disclosed this in a statement titled: “CSM outbreak: NCDC rapid response teams in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Katsina states,” signed by its Head of Corporate Communication, Sani Datti, on Thursday.
It said its Rapid Response Teams are already in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Katsina states in response to the ongoing outbreak of CSM.
It noted that the deployment follows a significant increase in suspected cases reported from these states.
“As of 26th March 2025, a total of 807 suspected cases and 74 deaths have been reported across 22 states, with a CFR of 9.2 per cent.
“Affected states include Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa, Borno, Ebonyi, Oyo, Bauchi, Ondo, Kaduna, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Ekiti, Niger, Plateau, FCT, and Sokoto.
Idris emphasised the importance of personal safety and instructed all team members to strictly observe infection prevention and control protocols throughout the response effort.
“The deployed teams, comprising multisectoral and interdisciplinary experts—including specialists in case management and lumbar puncture techniques—are already in the affected states and working closely with the state health authorities to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
“Key objectives of the response include rapid containment of the outbreak; strengthening case management and IPC measures; enhancing surveillance and sample collection; conducting risk communication and community engagement activities; and identifying the outbreak’s source and recommending appropriate public health actions.
“The NCDC remains committed to supporting state governments and partners to safeguard the health of Nigerians through timely and effective response to public health threats,” he stated.
Health
WHO Lauds Enugu’s Healthcare Innovations, Declares Engr. Beloved-Dan Anike Most Pro-Health Chair
The World Health Organization (WHO) has commended Enugu State for its outstanding leadership in advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC), recognizing the Executive Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Engr. Pst. Beloved-Dan Obi Anike, as the most Pro-Health Mayor in Enugu State.
This recognition came during the official flag-off of the Enugu East Health Insurance Scheme at the Enugu Type Two Primary Health Care Center in Emene. The WHO South-East Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igboekwu, highlighted the initiative as a groundbreaking model, marking the first time a Local Government Chairman in Nigeria has committed substantial resources toward community-wide healthcare access.
Dr. Igboekwu emphasized that Enugu East’s proactive approach aligns with global best practices, strengthening health security and enhancing economic growth through a healthier workforce. He applauded Enugu State’s strategic healthcare reforms, positioning it as a front-runner in the drive for Universal Health Coverage.
In his remarks, Engr. Pst. Beloved-Dan Obi Anike revealed that the newly launched scheme will enroll 5,000 elderly residents—both indigenes and non-indigenes aged 60 and above—into the State Universal Health Coverage program. The initiative, set to run from April 1, 2025, to April 1, 2026, guarantees free healthcare services for these beneficiaries.
The Mayor expressed gratitude to the Executive Governor of Enugu State for spearheading a wave of disruptive innovations across multiple sectors, particularly in healthcare. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to aligning with the state government’s vision, stating, “When you have a Governor delivering over a thousand projects concurrently, you must take steps to keep up with his momentum.”
As part of this commitment, Engr. Anike disclosed that his administration has also commenced the construction of Type One Primary Healthcare Centers in Neke-Uno and Obinagu Nike communities, with approval secured for three additional centers across Enugu East LGA.
Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, described the initiative as a monumental achievement, emphasizing its life-changing impact on the elderly population. Similarly, Dr. Edith Okolo, Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Health Insurance Scheme, hailed the project as a historic milestone, ensuring that 5,000 people in Enugu East LGA will receive free healthcare for an entire year.
The event also had in attendance notable dignitaries, including the Member Representing Enugu East Rural Constituency, Hon. Raymond Ugwu; the Honourable Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Felix Nnamani; Member 4 of the Enugu State Local Government Service Commission, Amb. Mrs. Amaka Nweke; the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Rotarian Dr. Sunday; the PDP Chairman in Enugu East LGA, Hon. Okey Igbokwe, among others.
These stakeholders echoed WHO’s commendation, applauding the Enugu State Government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening healthcare systems and improving access to quality medical services.
Enugu State’s healthcare innovations continue to set a precedent, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in Universal Health Coverage and community-centered healthcare policies.
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