Definition

Amoebic dysentery is an intestinal illness.

Causes

Amoebic dysentery is caused by a specific parasite. You may develop amoebic dysentery if you:

• Put something in your mouth that has touched the stool of an infected person.
• Swallow water or food that has been contaminated with the parasite.
• Touch cysts (eggs) from contaminated surfaces and bring them to your mouth

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase your chance of amoebic dysentery include:

• Living in or traveling to developing countries, places that have poor sanitary conditions, or tropical or subtropical areas
• Living in institutions with poor sanitary conditions
• Household contact with infected person
• Having anal sexual intercourse

Symptoms

Most people with the parasite do not have symptoms. Symptoms may include:

• Loose /watery stools or constipation
• Bloody stools
• Constant feeling you need to move your bowels
• Nausea
• Weight loss
• Stomach pain
• Fever
• Pain on your right, upper side (if you have the parasite in your liver)

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.

Your doctor will need tests of your bodily fluids and waste products. This can be done with:

• Blood tests
• Stool samples

Images may need to be taken of your bodily structures, especially your liver. This can be done with:

• Ultrasound
• CT scan

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:

Prevention

To help reduce your chances amoebic dysentery, take the following steps when traveling to a country that has poor sanitary conditions:

• Drink only bottled water or water that has been boiled for at least one minute
• Do not eat fresh fruit or vegetables that you do not peel yourself
• Do not eat or drink unpasteurized milk, cheese, or dairy products
• Do not eat or drink anything sold by street vendors
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Use hand sanitizers if soap and water are not available.
• People carrying the parasite may need to be treated to avoid spreading it to others.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases http://www.niaid.nih.gov

Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca

Amebiasis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
Updated May 31, 2013. Accessed June 16, 2014.

Parasites–amebiasis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/amebiasis/index.html
Updated November 2, 2010. Accessed August 7, 2013.