34.1  Intestinal protozoal diseases

The two commonest types of faeco-oral diseases caused by intestinal protozoa are ameobiasis (or amoebic dysentery) and giardiasis. Both conditions are also classified as diarrhoeal diseases based on the characteristic symptom of diarrhoea. The prevention and control measures against both diseases are the same as for other faeco-oral diseases described previously (refer back to Study Session 32, Section 32.6). Our focus here will be on the unique features that enable you to suspect cases of these diseases, and refer patients after starting rehydration with oral rehydration salts (ORS).