WHAT IS AMOEBIASIS? 

Amoebiasis (Amoebic Dysentery) is the most known cause of diarrhoea. Amoebiasis (Amoebic Dysentery) occurs when the parasites or their eggs (cysts) are taken in by mouth. People infected with  amoebiasis have Entamoeba histolytica parasites in their stools. The infection can spread when infected people do not dispose of their faeces in a sanitary manner or do not wash their hands properly after using the rest-room. 

Some of the common causes are contaminated hands that spread the parasites to food that may be eaten by others and surfaces that may be touched by others.  Other causes include:

• consuming contaminated water 

• having contaminated raw vegetables, fruits

• unprotected sex

• some people carry the parasite or cysts in their faeces with no visible symptoms, still they can pass on the disease to other people

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF AMOEBIASIS? 

Its common signs and symptoms include: 

• diarrhoea (which may or may not contain blood)

• stomach cramps

• feverish body

• abscesses elsewhere in the body, such as the liver

Once infected with amoebiasis it may take days, months or years before the onset of symptoms however, the illness mostly develops 02-04 weeks after infection.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Diagnosis is made by a Doctor after reviewing symptoms and a stool test.  

Treatment is mostly through rest, hydration and medication as advised by the Doctor.  

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

In order to help prevent the spread of amoebiasis around the home, follow: 

• Washing hands thoroughly with soap and hot running water for at least 15 seconds after using the toilet or changing a diaper

• use clean bathrooms and toilets, especially notice the toilet seats and taps.

• do not  share towels or face towels

• food handlers are advised to make sure that hands are thoroughly washed with soap and hot running water before touching food. Paper towels or an air dryer is used  to dry hands. Raw vegetables are thoroughly washed and cooked.

• Avoid eating uncooked foods, particularly raw vegetables and fruits which cannot be peeled before eating. Use only packaged drinks, boiled water or chlorinated and filtered one. Try avoiding drinks containing ice.