If you suspect you may have amebiasis, your doctor can perform blood tests or stool tests to determine whether or not you have the disease. [5] X Research source
fever and/or chills bloody or mucoid diarrhea abdominal discomfort alternating diarrhea with constipation.
Complications can include severe and debilitating bowel troubles, as well as extra-intestinal disease, which means that the parasite invaded the lining of your colon and infected other areas of your body. The most common location for extra-intestinal disease is in the liver, which always requires medical treatment, and sometimes surgery as well. If you suspect you have amebiasis, or have been diagnosed with it, it is always best to seek the professional advice of your doctor on how best to proceed with treatment.
Medications for treatment include: paromomycin, iodoquinol, and diloxanide furoate among others. Ask your doctor about these options. Understand that more intense medications are required for an infection that has spread to other parts of the body (such as the liver). In cases that have spread to the liver, metronidazole is the most common medication used. It is an antibiotic, but it works very well against this parasitic infection as well. [9] X Research source
In cases such as these, always consult your doctor. You may need to be hospitalized to receive IV fluids, as fluid loss from diarrhea can be quite severe.
If your symptoms are not improving after a trial of medication, speak to your doctor about other medications you can try, and/or whether surgery may be needed in your case.
uncontrollable and debilitating bowel symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and/or constipation excessive bleeding from your digestive tract spread of the infection to other areas of your body.
Small liver infections can often be treated with medication alone. In more severe cases, however, your doctor will likely use a needle (with ultrasound guidance) to remove the infection from your liver.
If your colon has been “broken open” (the medical word for this is “perforated”), this will also require surgical repair. Follow the advice of your doctor as to when surgery is needed.
In cases such as these, your doctor may give you more powerful antibiotic treatment to eliminate any additional infections that have occurred at the same time.
First, you want to prevent the infection being passed on to any of your family members or friends. It is also a public health concern to ensure that appropriate infection precautions are taken. Second, you do not become immune to amebiasis so it is important to protect yourself from acquiring the infection again.
Safe sexual practices - avoid sexual activities with people who may be infected as this increases the chances of catching it yourself. Appropriate water treatment - always use bottled water, or boil or filter your water prior to drinking to avoid contamination. Safe food choices - avoid raw fruits and vegetables, and try to eat cooked foods or fruits you can peel to avoid contamination. Non-pasteurized milk, cheese and other dairy products should also be avoided. If you do eat raw vegetables, soak them in vinegar for 10-15 minutes prior to eating them. [18] X Research source Street vendor foods, which are common in developing countries and are not evaluated for health practices, should also be avoided. Proper hand washing is also important while abroad and at home.
Careful follow-up ensures that you are fully healthy, and also that others will not catch it from you.
