“Amoebiasis is an infection caused by the microorganism Entamoeba hystolytica, that is transmitted through contaminated food or water.”
What is Amoebiasis?
Amoebiasis is also known as amoebic dysentery. It is caused by a protozoan parasite of the human large intestine, Entamoeba histolytica. They are cosmopolitan, they live in the large intestines and produce eggs or cysts, which are passed out of the body with the stool. It results in diarrhoea and colitis.
Let us have a detailed look at the symptoms and causes of amoebiasis.
Also Read: Amoeba
Causes of Amoebiasis
Amebiasis is caused by the following ways:
- Living in areas with poor sanitary conditions.
- Ingesting water or food, contaminated by faeces of infected people.
- By swallowing cysts of the parasite. It can also occur by oral-anal sexual contact with an infected person.
Symptoms of Amoebiasis
An individual infected with E. histolytica may have mild to severe symptoms. Sometimes a person may show no symptoms of the disease.
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Abdominal discomfort
- Diarrhoea that may include blood or mucus with periods of constipation
Treatment of Amoebiasis
Symptomatic amoebiasis can be treated with administration of metronidazole, followed by eliminating any organisms present in the colon by a luminal amoebicide.
Asymptomatic carriers are treated by giving a luminal amebicide. This reduces the risk of transmission.
Also Read: Infectious Diseases
To learn more about amoebiasis, its definition, causes, symptoms and treatment, keep visiting BYJU’S website.
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