An infection of intestine that cause diarrhoea and stomach pain.
It is caused by amoebic parasite, it enters via mouth to intestines and can stay ‘quiet’ (dormant) from days to even years and causes abscess and ulcers by burrowing into intestinal wall, hence one may not get symptoms straight away.
It can spread to lungs, liver and brain.
It is found in world regions of:
Central South America
Africa
Asia
Tropical areas
Cause
Parasite: Entamoeba histolytica
Commonly spread via:
Poor hygiene (faecal-oral route, not washing hands after been to toilet)
Poor sanitation
Contaminated surfaces
Cold, uncooked foods, e.g. salads
Contaminated soils and water:
Infected faeces (used as fertilisers)
Contaminated foods
Passed via anal sex
Source: Bar Stools 'Blood and mucus in stools'
Source: iHaveUC
Source: SlideShare
Symptoms
Symptoms can be delayed:
Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?
Dry cough longer than three weeks or breathing difficulties?
Balance and dizziness problems?
High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
Stools painful when excreted?
Watery diarrhoea?
Mucous or blood in faeces?
Periods of constipation?
Tenesmus- frequent and urgent feeling that you need to pass stool, even if your bowels are already empty?
General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:
Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:
Liver abscesses – Lumps and swelling of the liver
Cerebral abscesses- Lumps and swelling of the brain
General tips
Take the following steps to avoid passing the illness on to others:
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after going to the toilet. Read more about how to wash your hands.
Stay away from work or school until you’ve been completely free from any symptoms for at least 48 hours.
Help young children to wash their hands properly.
Don’t prepare food for others until you’ve been symptom free for at least 48 hours.
Don’t go swimming until you’ve been symptom free for at least 48 hours.
Where possible, stay away from other people until your symptoms have stopped.
Wash all dirty clothes, bedding and towels on the hottest possible cycle of the washing machine.
Clean toilet seats and toilet bowls, and flush handles, taps and sinks with detergent and hot water after use, followed by a household disinfectant.
Avoid sexual contact until you’ve been symptom free for at least 48 hours.
NHS choices
Travel
If you’re travelling to a country where there’s a high risk of getting the condition, the Information below can help prevent infection:
Don’t drink the local water unless you’re sure it’s clean (sterile) – drink bottled water or drinks in sealed cans or bottles.
If the water isn’t sterile, boil it for several minutes or use chemical disinfectant or a reliable filter.
Don’t clean your teeth with tap water.
Don’t have ice in your drinks because it may be made from unclean water.
Avoid fresh fruit or vegetables that can’t be peeled before eating.
Avoid food and drink sold by street vendors, except drinks in properly sealed cans or bottles.
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Amoebiasis (Amoebic Dysentery) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
The Pharmaceutical Journal covers analysis, features, opinion, learning and careers articles, providing insight and knowledge about drugs, pharmacy practice, medicines use and healthcare policy in the context of the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical science.
