Amoebiasis

Amoebiasis is being caused by a protozoan parasite of the large intestine of the human body whose name is Entamoeba histolytica. It is also known as amoebic dysentery. Amoebiasis lives in the large intestine of the human body and they are cosmopolitan. It produces eggs or cysts, which passes out in the body with the stool. The result of amoebiasis is diarrhea and colitis. Amoebiasis is the infection which is caused by one of the microorganisms which transmits through contaminated food or contaminated water.

Causes of Amoebiasis

Amoebiasis can be caused by living in areas which have poor sanitary conditions.

The food and water which is being contaminated by feces of infected people and if we ingest then it can cause Amoebiasis.

Amoebiasis can also be caused if you swallow the cysts of the parasite and can also be occurred by the oral – anal sexual contact with the person who is always infected.

Symptoms of Amoebiasis

Sometimes people may show zero symptoms of this disease. Generally when a person is infected with  this disease, he can face mild symptoms to severe symptoms. Those symptoms can be chills, fever, weight loss, discomfort in abdomen and diarrhoea which can include the blood or mucus with then constipation.

Who is at Risk from Amoebiasis

If someone has traveled to tropical locations which have poor sanitation, they could be at risk for amoebiasis disease. Immigrants from tropical countries which have poor sanitary conditions are also at risk. People who are living in places or institutions having bad sanitary conditions just like prisons, are at the risk for this disease.

People whose immune system is not good and strong along with having other health conditions are at a risk of this disease.

How is this Disease Diagnosed

It can be diagnosed by a doctor who suspects this disease by asking the patient about the recent health conditions and travel history. Doctors can test you about the presence of E. Histolytica. For finding out the presence of cysts, a doctor may ask you to give stool samples for many days. Lab tests can also be taken for finding out the functioning of the liver and for determining if it has damaged your liver or not. Sometimes, the parasites spreads outside the intestine of human body which results in not showing up in the stool. So this is the reason, doctors also advised me to go for an ultrasound.

Treatments Available for Amoebiasis

The cases of amoebiasis which are not complicated are generally being treated by a 10 day course of metronidazole which are being taken as a capsule. Doctors also sometimes prescribe medication for controlling the nausea if the patient needs it. The cases which are complicated and have a tendency to damage the infected organs, may need surgeries.

Prevention of Amoebiasis

• Proper sanitation is the main thing to consider for preventing Amoebiasis. A lot of things you need to

• consider while travelling to the places where the infection is very common. The regime which needs to

• look after are –

• Wash your food and vegetables very carefully and properly before eating.

• You should avoid eating vegetables and fruits which are not washed and peeled off properly.

• You should drink the water after boiling it

• Avoid eating street foods.

• Avoid eating dairy products which are not pasteurised.