What is Amoebiasis? Know its Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
2022-02-21 00:00:00
Amoebiasis, also known as amoebic dysentery, is an infection caused by a parasite. Amoebiasis is caused by a parasite called 'Protozoan Entamoeba histolytica' or E. histolytica that can be found in the stomach. The main cause for this is contaminated water and poor sanitation. Although this disease can happen to anyone, it mostly happens to people living in a developing country, where less attention is paid to cleanliness. Apart from this, it can also happen to people who have come by living or visiting these developing countries. This disease is so dangerous that it can even cause death in serious conditions.
What is Amoebiasis?
Amoebiasis is a disease caused by a single-celled parasite, also called Entamoeba histolytica. This disease is extremely common in tropical countries where there is poor hygiene. Therefore, when a person travels to poor tropical places, lives in poor sanitary conditions in an institution or a prison, has sex with infected person, has a weakened immune system or suffer from any other medical condition, they may be prone to this disease.
How does Amoebiasis happen?
This infection can spread easily. The entero-amoeba histolytica and the protozoan make the person sick by infecting the large intestine by thriving there. Apart from the large intestine, these unicellular bacteria are also found in lungs, liver, heart, testicles, brain, kidney, ovaries, skin etc.
Symptoms of Amoebiasis
- Loose stools
- Vomiting
- Feeling giddy
- Bloating
- Stomach cramps
- Changed eating habits
- Diarrhea after each meal
- Fever
- Intermittent pain in stomach
- Constipation or alternating diarrhea
- Excess tiredness
- Loss of weight
- Loss of appetite
- Indigestion
Diagnosis for Amoebiasis
- To diagnose amoebiasis, doctors examine a patient's stool sample.
- Apart from the stool sample, the liver function of the victim is also checked. So that it can be ascertained whether there was any damage to the liver.
- If necessary, the doctor also examines the wound in the liver due to infection with the help of a needle because sometimes when amoebiasis occurs, the abscess or cyst in the liver bursts into the membrane of the abdomen, lungs and heart (ie the pericardium). The pain caused by this can be even more dangerous.
- If there is a possibility of damage to the internal organs, doctors recommend the patient to get an ultrasound or CT scan.
- Apart from this, the doctor also directs the patient to colonoscopy to detect the presence of parasites in the intestinal or colon tissue.
Treatment of Amoebiasis
The treatment of this disease depends on the type of infection the patient has. If the person has a common infection, then the doctor advises medication for 10-12 days but if this parasite causes an abscess in the liver, then the patient may have to take medicine for 15-20 days or more. In case, there is pus in the boil, then the doctor removes it with the help of a syringe but if the amoebic ulcer bursts in the intestines, then it spreads to the whole stomach. This may lead to a surgery.
Prevention of Amoebiasis
- Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before using them.
- Wash the cookware thoroughly before use.
- Use only boiled water.
- Avoid consuming street food and beverages.
- Wash hands thoroughly with warm water after using the toilet and after changing baby diapers.
- Clean the bathroom, toilet, taps and toilet seat regularly.
- Avoid sharing towels or face washers.
Home remedies for Amoebiasis
- Drink coconut water.
- Make and drink black tea.
- Eat fruits like guava, papaya, etc.
- Consuming bael and walnut proves to be beneficial in amoebiasis.
- Add Chlorine to drinking water or drink boiled water only.
- Seek medical advice if necessary.
