Dysentery is an inflammation of the intestine that causes painful diarrhea and stools containing blood and mucus. One type, bacillary dysentery, is caused by Shigella bacteria; and another, amoebic dysentery, by a protozoan, Entamoeba histolytica. Bacillary dysentery occurs mainly in children; the symptoms are a fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea that lasts about a week. It severely affects infants, the elderly, and the malnourished, especially in the tropics, and may be fatal. Generally, treatment consists of drinking large quantities of fluids, but antibiotics are given in severe cases. The disease is transmitted by the stools of infected persons and is prevented by good hygiene. Amoebic dysentery is an ulcerative condition of the intestine, from which the amoebas may invade the liver or, rarely, the skin and lungs, and cause abscesses. Treatment is emetine injections or metronidazole taken orally.