Amoebiasis

Definition

Amoebiasis is an infection of small intestine, which is caused by an protozoan called Entamoeba histolytica. This is usually contracted by ingesting water or food contaminated by amoebic cysts. Amoebic abscesses may form in the liver , lungs , and brain and else where in the body. They enter the body through the mouth when the contaminated food or drink is swallowed.

There are several different species of amoeba, but the most dangerous, such as Entamoeba histolytica, live predominantly in tropical areas. People living in rural areas or persons traveling in such areas are at highest risk of developing this disease, which occurs when something infected with the parasite is eaten or swallowed. There are mainly two types of amoebiasis:

• Extraintestinal Amoebiasis
• Intestinal Amoebiasis

Causes of Amoebiasis

Some Possible Causes of Amoebiasis includes:

• Eating or Drinking contaminated water or food is one of the primary cause of amoebiasis.
• Even vegetables grown in soil contaminated by faeces can transmit the disease.
• It may be transmitted from one person to other through direct contact.
• Touching, and bringing to your mouth, cysts (eggs) picked up from surfaces that are contaminated with entamoeba histolytica.
• Eating a food on which mosquito had sat, after sitting on the stool of a person infected with entamoeba histolytica, may lead to amoebiasis.
• Eating Non-Veg foods (meat and intestines of animals - goat, pig, beef, etc.), may lead to the condition of amoebiasis.
• Unhygienic Conditions and Poor Sanitation areas are more susceptible to amoebiasis.
• Amoebic dysentery can also be spread by anal sex.

Symptoms of Amoebiasis

Symptoms of amoebiasis includes

• Jaundice.
• Colic or pain in abdomen.
• It could be associated with a low grade fever too.
• Sometimes allergic reactions can occur throughout the body, due to release of toxic substances or dead parasites inside the intestines.
• Loss of Weight and Stamina is encountered with person suffering from amoebiasis.
• Stools can sometimes also be accompanied with blood
• Usually symptoms start with diarrhea and pain in right hypochondrium.
• Around one in ten people who are infected with amoebiasis become ill from the disease.
• Tenesmus, may occur during amoebiasis.
• Foul smelling stools.
• Loss of Appetite.
• You will feel weakness or tiredness, if you are suffering from amoebiasis.
• Pain in the right shoulder could occur in chronic condition.
• Nausea.

Treatment of Amoebiasis

• Metronidazole Amoebic dysentery is effective for the treatment of amoebiasis. Complications, such as perforation of the intestinal wall or the presence of abscesses within the body's organs, require a special hospital treatment.
• Make a leaf paste with dried neem leaves and an equal quantity of turmeric powder mixed with mustard oil. This should be applied on the body and left for an hour or so and then the person should bath.
• The juice of apricot leaves should be extracted and applied over the infected area. It has beneficial results in the treatment of amoebiasis.
• Extract the juice from 400 - 500 gm of drumstick leaves. Mix with an equal amount of sesame seed oil, and boil till the water dries up. Cool and store. Apply daily over the infected parts. Both have strong anti-microbial properties.