Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is amebiasis (amoebiasis)?
- How common is this condition?
- Signs & symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of amebiasis (amoebiasis)?
- When should I see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes amebiasis (amoebiasis)?
- Risk factors
- What factors put you more at risk of developing amebiasis (amoebiasis)?
- Medicines & Medicines
- What are the treatment options for amebiasis (amoebiasis)?
- What are the most common tests to diagnose this condition?
- Home remedies
- What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat amebiasis (amoebiasis)?
Definition
What is amebiasis (amoebiasis)?
Amebiasis or amoebiasis is an infection of the body caused by parasites, which generally occur in the liver or large intestine. The parasites that cause amoebiasis to occur are Entamoeba histolytica . Our bodies have eight types of amoeba, but only Entamoeba histolytica which causes amebiasis.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, calls diagnosis of amoebiasis difficult because other parasites can look very similar to Entamoeba histolytica when viewed under a microscope. People who are infected will not always feel sick. However, you need immediate treatment if you become infected.
How common is this condition?
Based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO), 10% of the world's population is infected with amebiasis. In addition, amoebiasis usually occurs in tropical areas, especially in areas where living areas are not clean.
Amebiasis occurs in women and men of all ages. Always consult your doctor for more information.
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of amebiasis (amoebiasis)?
The symptoms of amebiasis are more specific than the general symptoms of parasites in your body. Some of these include liquid stool, abdominal cramps, and abdominal pain. However, most people with this disease will not experience significant symptoms.
Symptoms usually appear after 2-4 weeks of infection, or it may take several months for the disease to be detected. Common symptoms of amoebasis include:
- Diarrhea (10 to 12 times per day)
- Diarrhea accompanied by blood
- Abdominal cramps
- Thick stool
- Gas in the stomach
- Common symptoms such as fever, backache, and fatigue.
After the active substances in parasites called trophozites penetrate the intestinal wall, they can enter the bloodstream and move to various other organs. These substances can end up in the liver, heart, lungs, brain, or other organs. If trophozites attack internal organs, you are at risk of experiencing:
- Abscess
- Infection
- Severe illness
- Dead
If the parasites invade the lining of your intestines, it can cause amoebic dysentery. This condition is a more dangerous form of amebiasis. Amebic dysentery shows symptoms of watery and bloody stools and severe stomach cramps.
Quoted from Healthline, the liver is often a destination for parasites when moving places. Amebic liver disease symptoms include fever and pain in the upper right side of your stomach.
There are several signs and symptoms that may not be listed above. If you are worried about one symptom, please consult a doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
Call your doctor or go to the hospital if you have the following symptoms of amoebiasis:
- High fever
- Diarrhea accompanied by blood
- Stomach ache
- Pain in the right abdomen
- Jaundice.
Cause
What causes amebiasis (amoebiasis)?
Amebiasis is caused by a parasite called Entamoeba histolytica . This parasite is one of the main causes of diarrhea, damage to the stomach and digestive tract. Parasites infect the body when you drink unhygienic water, or eat contaminated food.
Flies, mosquitoes and other insects are also at risk of becoming parasites. Amebiasis can spread from anal intercourse with an infected person.
When parasites enter the digestive tract, they will release an active substance known as trophozite. These parasites then multiply in the digestive tract and migrate to the large intestine. There, they can enter the wall of the intestine or large intestine.
This is what causes bloody diarrhea, colitis, and tissue damage to the human intestine. The infected person can then pass it to the environment through infected feces.
Risk factors
What factors put you more at risk of developing amebiasis (amoebiasis)?
Amebiasis is a condition common in tropical countries with underdeveloped sanitation systems. There are many risk factors for developing amoebiasis if you have conditions such as:
- Travel to places with poor hygiene conditions.
- People who have anal sex have an increased risk of developing intestinal infections caused by parasites.
- People with weakened immune systems or suffering from other chronic illnesses.
- People who live in poor sanitation environments, such as prisons, for example
- People with compromised immune systems and other health conditions.
Medicines & Medicines
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor.
What are the treatment options for amebiasis (amoebiasis)?
Treatment for amebiasis must be provided with an adequate prescription from your doctor. After treatment, the doctor will check your stool to make sure that the parasites have left the body.
The recommended drugs can be metronidazole and iodoquinol. However, these medications have side effects such as nausea, headache, dry mouth, or dark urine. If you are taking any of these medications, you should not drink alcohol during treatment.
You should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. In some cases, you will need water transfer.
Infection Entamoeba in the digestive tract will disappear in two weeks. If the histolytica moves to other organs, you will still have the ability to fully recover if treated properly and correctly.
However, without the intervention of a doctor, the patient was infected Entamoeba risk of dying. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year 70,000 people die from amebiasis.
Amebiasis can generally be cured if you regularly undergo treatment and medication. Usually the treatment will last about 2 weeks. If you have a more serious case, where parasites appear on your internal tissues or internal organs, this should be treated immediately.
What are the most common tests to diagnose this condition?
Your doctor will diagnose amoebiasis that attacks your intestines and digestion by examining your history or medical history in person. At the same time the doctor will need at least 3 stool samples to examine the parasites through a microscope.
The doctor may use a colonoscopy or colonoscopy stigma as a sample if other tests are not clear.
Home remedies
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat amebiasis (amoebiasis)?
The following lifestyle and home treatments can help you manage amoebiasis with the following precautions:
- Take medicines according to the dosage and work with your doctor in the treatment process
- Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration or diarrhea
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water to prevent parasitic infections
- Make sure all food is cooked before eating
- Ensure healthy sexual intercourse (use condoms).
If you have further questions, please contact your doctor to understand the best solution for you.
If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.