Amoebiasis: Symptoms and Treatment
Lisa Mills
November 18, 2009
What is Amoebiasis?
Amoebiasis is a infectious disease which is mainly caused by the protozoan Entameoba histolytic. This is usually contracted by ingesting water or food contaminated by amoebic cysts. Amoebiasis occurs when the parasites are taken in by mouth. People with amoebiasis have Entamoeba hisolytica parasites in their faeces. Amoebiasis can affect people living anywhere in the world, but is most common where living conditions are crowded or there is poor hygiene and sanitation.
The parasite can cause ulcers to form in the intestine resulting in amoebic dysentery. Under these circumstances the diarrhoea becomes watery and bloody, the abdominal pain becomes more severe, and fever develops. Amoebiasis is transmitted by fecal contamination of drinking water and foods, but also by direct contact with dirty hands or objects as well as by sexual intercourse. Amoebiasis occurs when Entamoeba histolytica parasites are taken in by mouth and the most common way this happens is by person-to-person spread.
Causes of Amoebiasis
Amoebiasis is especially common in parts of the world where human faeces are used as fertiliser and is more likely to affect people who live or have travelled in developing countries, where sanitation and hygiene is poor.
If it invades the liver, it causes formation of the typical anchovy paste like pus. Asymptomatic carriers pass cysts in the faeces.
Signs and Symptoms of Amoebiasis
Abdominal (stomach) cramps
Tenderness in the lower abdominal region
Blood-stained stools
Tenesmus (painful passage of stools)
Foul smelling stools
Severe stomach pain ,
Vague gastrointestinal distress,
diagnosis of Amoebiasis
Anyone who develops Amoebiasis should see a doctor as soon as possible and ensure that they tell the doctor they have been travelling in the tropics, as amoebic dysentery does not normally occur in the UK. In the presence of the classic symptom of Amoebiasis, the diagnosis can often be made by means of a stool analysis.
Treatment of Amobiasis
An anti-diarrhoeal medication may also be prescribed. Metronidazole can produce a metallic taste in the mouth and may give rise to nausea. Alcoholic drinks must be avoided while taking metronidazole .
Children with amoebiasis should not attend school while they are infected.
Large abcesses in the liver may require drainage, using an ultrasound scan to localise the abcess accurately and position the drainage needle.
While travelling avoid eating uncooked foods, particularly vegetables and fruit which cannot be peeled before eating in order to prevent Amoebiasis.
Metronidazole , or a related drug such a tinidazole , is used to destroy amebae that have invaded tissue.
Usually, in Allopathy, a course of anti-protozoal (Metronidazole) is given for eliminating the amoebic trophozites. This will work very temporarily, i.e. till its eggs or cysts get hatched
Prevention Tips of Amobiasis
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and hot running water for at least 10 seconds after using the toilet or changing a baby's diaper.
vegetables are thoroughly washed and cooked.
The internal temperature of reheated food reaches at least 75 degrees Celsius.
Avoid sharing towels or face washers.
Drink only packaged drinks, boiled water or chlorinated and filtered water.
Avoid drinks containing ice.
Amoebiasis is a infectious disease which is mainly caused by the protozoan Entameoba histolytic. This is usually contracted by ingesting water or food contaminated by amoebic cysts. Amoebiasis occurs when the parasites are taken in by mouth. People with amoebiasis have Entamoeba hisolytica parasites in their faeces. Amoebiasis can affect people living anywhere in the world, but is most common where living conditions are crowded or there is poor hygiene and sanitation.
The parasite can cause ulcers to form in the intestine resulting in amoebic dysentery. Under these circumstances the diarrhoea becomes watery and bloody, the abdominal pain becomes more severe, and fever develops. Amoebiasis is transmitted by fecal contamination of drinking water and foods, but also by direct contact with dirty hands or objects as well as by sexual intercourse. Amoebiasis occurs when Entamoeba histolytica parasites are taken in by mouth and the most common way this happens is by person-to-person spread.
Causes of Amoebiasis
Amoebiasis is especially common in parts of the world where human faeces are used as fertiliser and is more likely to affect people who live or have travelled in developing countries, where sanitation and hygiene is poor.
If it invades the liver, it causes formation of the typical anchovy paste like pus. Asymptomatic carriers pass cysts in the faeces.
Signs and Symptoms of Amoebiasis
Abdominal (stomach) cramps
Tenderness in the lower abdominal region
Blood-stained stools
Tenesmus (painful passage of stools)
Foul smelling stools
Severe stomach pain ,
Vague gastrointestinal distress,
diagnosis of Amoebiasis
Anyone who develops Amoebiasis should see a doctor as soon as possible and ensure that they tell the doctor they have been travelling in the tropics, as amoebic dysentery does not normally occur in the UK. In the presence of the classic symptom of Amoebiasis, the diagnosis can often be made by means of a stool analysis.
Treatment of Amobiasis
An anti-diarrhoeal medication may also be prescribed. Metronidazole can produce a metallic taste in the mouth and may give rise to nausea. Alcoholic drinks must be avoided while taking metronidazole .
Children with amoebiasis should not attend school while they are infected.
Large abcesses in the liver may require drainage, using an ultrasound scan to localise the abcess accurately and position the drainage needle.
While travelling avoid eating uncooked foods, particularly vegetables and fruit which cannot be peeled before eating in order to prevent Amoebiasis.
Metronidazole , or a related drug such a tinidazole , is used to destroy amebae that have invaded tissue.
Usually, in Allopathy, a course of anti-protozoal (Metronidazole) is given for eliminating the amoebic trophozites. This will work very temporarily, i.e. till its eggs or cysts get hatched
Prevention Tips of Amobiasis
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and hot running water for at least 10 seconds after using the toilet or changing a baby's diaper.
vegetables are thoroughly washed and cooked.
The internal temperature of reheated food reaches at least 75 degrees Celsius.
Avoid sharing towels or face washers.
Drink only packaged drinks, boiled water or chlorinated and filtered water.
Avoid drinks containing ice.
Author writes for herbs, hair loss treatment and Provacyl reviews.
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