Amebiasis Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Amebiasis?

It is an intestinal infection which roots from a parasite named Entamoeba histolytica.

What Are The Symptoms Of Amebiasis?

Majority individuals with the particular infection do not notice any symptoms at all. In case they occur, they can be the following:

Mild symptoms: considerable weight loss, tenesmus, excessive gas, fatigue, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
Severe symptoms: Vomiting, fever, bloody stools, liquid stools with blood streaks and abdominal tenderness.

What Causes Amebiasis?

Entamoeba histolytica is a parasite responsible for causing amebiasis. The parasite spreads from consuming water or food contaminated by feces. This may occur when human feces are used as fertilizer. Moreover, entamoeba histolytica also spreads via person-to person contact.

It can survive in your colon without leading any damage to it. In rare instances, the parasite invades the wall of colon, triggering chronic diarrhea, acute dysentery or colitis. Moreover, the infection can also travel to your lung by means of blood. Sometimes, it spreads to the brain, lungs or other body organs, leading serious complications. The condition is reported to occur worldwide, however amebiasis is more common particularly in the tropical areas where poor hygiene and crowded living environment exist.

What Are The Risk Factors Of Amebiasis?

Certain factors identified for increasing the chances of amebiasis are:

Malnutrition.
Pregnancy.
Cancer.
Alcoholism.
Younger or older age.
Taking costicosteroid medications in order to suppress your immune system.
Travel to some tropical region.

What Are The Possible Complications Of Amebiasis?

Few complications associated with amebiasis are:

Side effects of medicines.
Liver abscess.
Spread of Entamoeba histolytica to the brain, lungs or liver.

How Is Amebiasis Diagnosed?

During the visit, the doctor will conduct a careful physical exam. He will ask questions regarding the medical history of the patient, especially if he has recently traveled abroad. While examining the abdomen, the doctor will probably notice tenderness or liver enlargement. Few tests he or she can suggest are:

Stool test.
Blood test.
Sigmoidoscopy.

Often, numerous stool samples are taken over various days. The sample is examined under a microscope.

How Is Ambiasis Treated?

The treatment of ambiasis tends to rely on the severity of infection. Often, it is treated by a course of prescribed antibiotics. In case of vomiting, the patient will receive medicines intravenously.

Stopping the diarrhea through medicines can turn the condition even worse, thus doctors usually avoid prescribing medications in the case. After the course of antibiotic treatment is completed, the patient is asked to give a sample of stool again. The doctor will recheck the sample in order to ascertain the infection has finally cleared.

What Is The Prognosis Of Amebiasis?

Generally, with prompt and effective treatment, prognosis of amebiasis is good. Normally, the illness persists for around two weeks, however can recur if it’s not treated.