Transmission of amoebic dysentery occurs mainly through the faecal-oral route, including ingestion of faecal contaminated food or water containing the cyst of Entamoeba histolytica.
Transmission can also occur through person-to-person contact such as diaper-changing and oral-anal sex. People who live in institutions, travellers who travel to or immigrants from developing countries with poor sanitary conditions, and men who have sex with men are at a higher risk of getting the disease.
The incubation period is variable, and may range from a few days to several months. Successful treatment is confirmed by negative stool analysis.
It is important to maintain good hydration by drinking plenty of fluids. In cases of severe dehydration, admission to hospital may be necessary to administer intravenous fluids. Similar antibiotics are also needed to treat an amoebic liver abscess, again using paromomycin to treat any parasites persisting in the intestine. Large abscesses are likely to require surgical drainage.
Most people who develop amoebic colitis or an amoebic liver abscess, can be successfully treated with medication to eradicate the parasite from the intestine. Occasionally, treatment does not effectively remove the parasites completely and symptoms can recur. If an amoebic abscess ruptures, or infection spreads to the central nervous system, this also has a bleak prognosis.
The most important principle of prevention is strict personal hygiene, in the form of hand washing. Children also need to be taught the importance of thorough hand washing. The following guidelines are recommended to prevent the spread of infection to others when infected with amoebic dysentery or any serious diarrhoea:.
Food handlers who develop diarrhoea or vomiting must inform their employer and immediately leave the food-handling area.
If amoebiasis is confirmed, the employer must be informed and the food handler must stay away from work until the doctor advises it is safe to return. Carers who work with vulnerable groups such as the elderly, unwell or the young should inform their employer and stay away from work as above. Good sanitary practice, as well as responsible sewage disposal or treatment, are necessary for the prevention of E. We use cookies to improve your experience on our site.
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The cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify anyone. For more information on how these cookies work, please see our Privacy and Cookie Policy. This briefing will concentrate on the latter, known as either Amoebic Dysentery or Amoebiasis.
Infection by Entamoeba histolytica may cause no symptoms. Entamoeba histolytica may invade the liver to form an abscess. Transmission of amoebic dysentery occurs mainly through the faecal-oral route poor toilet hygiene , including ingestion of contaminated food or water. The incubation period time from infection to symptoms developing is variable, and may range from a few days to several months.
It is usually 2 — 4 weeks. Treatment may include appropriate use of antibiotics as well as an anti-protozoal medication. Prevention: Maintain good personal food and environmental hygiene. Adopt the 5 Keys to Food Safety in handling food: Choose — Choose safe raw materials Clean — Keep hands and utensils clean Separate — Separate raw and cooked food Cook — Cook thoroughly Safe Temperature — Keep food at a safe temperature to prevent food borne diseases.
Sexual transmission of E. Because E. Diagnosis of amebiasis can be very difficult. One problem is that other parasites and cells can look very similar to E. Therefore, sometimes people are told that they are infected with E. Entamoeba histolytica and another ameba, Entamoeba dispar , which is about 10 times more common, look the same when seen under a microscope.
Unlike infection with E. If you have been told that you are infected with E. Unfortunately, most laboratories do not yet have the tests that can tell whether a person is infected with E. Until these tests become more widely available, it usually is best to assume that the parasite is E. A blood test is also available but is only recommended when your healthcare provider thinks that your infection may have spread beyond the intestine gut to some other organ of your body, such as the liver.
However, this blood test may not be helpful in diagnosing your current illness because the test can be positive if you had amebiasis in the past, even if you are not infected now. Several antibiotics are available to treat amebiasis. Treatment must be prescribed by a physician. You will be treated with only one antibiotic if your E.
You probably will be treated with two antibiotics first one and then the other if your infection has made you sick. Yes, but the risk of spreading infection is low if the infected person is treated with antibiotics and practices good personal hygiene. This includes thorough handwashing with soap and water after using the toilet, after changing diapers, and before handling or preparing food.
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