Amebiasis

   Signs and Symptoms:
   Amebiasis is a disease caused by a microscopic parasites called ENTAMOEBA
   HISTOLYTICA (amebas) that attach to the large intestine. Generally these
   parasites cause no symptoms, but in two to eight percent of those
   infected, the amebas invade deeply into wall of the intestine. When this
   happens, symptoms begin, either because the amebas attack the intestines
   (intestinal amebiasis) or spread through the body to affect other organs,
   especially the liver.

   A person with intestinal amebiasis may complain of abdominal pain that
   begins gradually. There may also be diarrhea that is blood-stained or
   filled with mucus. The patient may have eight to 12 bowel movements each
   day, and he may experience a constant nagging, irritating feeling that
   he needs to move his bowels. There is fever only about one-third of
   the time.

   Amebas can spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body,
   when they do so pockets of infection and pus forms in many different
   organs. About one percent of the time, they tend to infect the liver,
   and the condition is called hepatic amebiasis.
   Symptoms of hepatic amebiasis include:

      * fever
      * pain in the abdomen
      * an abnormally swollen or enlarged abdomen
      * tenderness in the area of the liver

   In rare cases, amebiasis causes an amebic dysentery, with sudden
   symptoms of fever, chills, and severe diarrhea. This can lead to
   dehydration (abnormally low levels of body water). Symptoms can last
   from a few days to several weeks.

   Pathogenesis:
   The infection begins when a person swallows ameba cysts, which may
   contaminate food or water, especially in tropical areas of the world.
   Ameba cysts survive the body's stomach acids and travel into the
   intestines. There they may peacefully colonize the inside of the large
   intestine without causing any symptoms or some amebas may begin to invade
   the wall of the large intestine. When this happens, there is abdominal
   pain, blood-stained diarrhea, and sometimes fever. There is also the
   danger of amebas spreading to infect other body organs.

   When infected stool contaminates food or water supplies, amebiasis
   can spread quickly to many persons at once. This is especially true
   in developing countries like ours where drinking water may be
   contaminated, and where human stool is commonly used as a fertilizer.
   Amebiasis may also pass from person to person wherever people live in
   unsanitary conditions, especially in institutions. Family members can
   also pass the disease to one another, and food-handlers can pass the
   disease to their customers.

   Prevention:

   There is no vaccine or drug that can be given prophylactically for
   amebiasis.

   Wherever there is a chance that amebas may contaminate drinking water,
   boil the water for at least five minutes.

   Remind children to wash their hands often during the day, especially
   before eating and after defecating.

   Duration:
   If there are no complications, amebiasis can be cured in about three
   weeks with an antibacterial medication.

   Contagiousness:
   Amebiasis is contagious. Because amebas contaminate the stool of
   infected persons, amebiasis can pass from person to person wherever
   living conditions are unsanitary and hygiene is poor.

   Outbreaks of amebiasis can also happen wherever water supplies are
   contaminated by sewerage, and wherever human waste is used as
   fertilizer for fruits and vegetables.

   If your child is found to have amebiasis, give the antibacterial
   medication as prescribed by your pediatrician for as long as directed.

   If your child has a fever, ensure bed rest. Make sure that your child
   is drinking enough fluids, especially if he has a fever along with
   diarrhea.

   Whenever your child has diarrhea, watch for signs of dehydration
   (abnormally low level of body water).
   Signs of dehydration include:

      * dry lips and tongue
      * dry skin, sunken eyes
      * irritability
      * no urination

   Amebiasis is treated with antibacterial medications. These medicines are
   usually given by mouth for up to three weeks. After the treatment is over
   a repeat stool examination is usually conducted to ensure that the ameba
   have been destroyed.

   When to call the Doctor?

      * fever
      * pain in the abdomen
      * diarrhoea with mucus
      * an abnormally swollen or enlarged abdomen
      * tenderness in the area of the liver