How long does amoeba last

Because these parasites live in the large intestine, they travel in the feces of infected people, and can contaminate water supplies in places where sanitation is poor. The parasite can contaminate fruits and vegetables grown in areas where human feces are used as fertilizer.

They can be transferred on the dirty hands of infected people who don't wash their hands often or correctly. Once amoebas enter the mouth, they travel through the digestive system and settle in the large intestine.

Harmless strains of the parasite Entamoeba dispar live there without causing damage. These amoebas may invade the wall of the intestine, leasing to amoebic dysentery, an illness that causes intestinal ulcers, bleeding, increased mucus production and diarrhea.

These amoebas also may pass into the bloodstream and travel to the liver or, infrequently, to the brain, where they form pockets of infection abscesses. To continue reading this article, you must log in. Already a member? Login ». If another person then drinks the contaminated water or eats contaminated food, they too can become infected.

If they are then in contact with another person, or prepare food for others, the parasite can enter another person's mouth and start to multiply in their gut, and therefore amoebiasis can be passed on. Sexual transmission of E.

In the UK, most people with E. Most people who become infected with E. However, symptoms may develop if the parasite causes inflammation of the lining of your gut. In some people, E. Note : the parasites can still be present in the stools of infected people who have no symptoms.

Make sure you get your immunisations ahead of travelling abroad. Speak to a local pharmacist today. It is estimated that around 1 in 10 people in the world are infected with E. As mentioned above, not everyone develops symptoms. It is thought that, worldwide, about 40 to 50 million people infected with E.

If you travel to such areas you may be at risk of infection. Ways to prevent infection are described below. About 9 out of 10 people who are infected with E. If infection does cause symptoms, they may be due to:.

The E. This condition is known as amoebic colitis. The disease is often mild and can just lead to tummy abdominal pain and diarrhoea. However, more severe inflammation with ulceration of the intestinal lining can occur in some people and so-called 'amoebic dysentery' can develop. Dysentery is any infection of the intestines, causing severe diarrhoea with blood and mucus. So, symptoms of amoebic dysentery include severe abdominal pain and diarrhoea which can contain blood and mucus. High temperature fever may be another symptom but this is not common.

You may also experience loss of appetite and weight loss. Symptoms can last for several weeks. Some people with amoebic colitis may just develop bleeding from their back passage rectal bleeding with no diarrhoea. Severe amoebic colitis is known as 'fulminant' or 'necrotising' colitis. The person is very unwell with very severe bloody diarrhoea, very severe abdominal pain and a swollen distended abdomen with tenderness when their abdomen is examined by a doctor.

Fever is also present. Occasionally, a hole perforation in the intestine may occur. This severe infection seems to be more common in certain groups of people, including the very young, pregnant women and those with underlying poor nutrition. In a few people with amoebic colitis, an 'amoeboma' can develop. This is essentially a lump mass of tissue that builds up or forms in the wall of the intestine, due to the inflammation.

It may cause a blockage of the intestine. Anaemia is another complication of amoebic colitis due to blood loss in the bloody diarrhoea. Note : if you develop diarrhoea after travelling abroad to places where E.

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Certain E. Learn about other bacteria and parasites like pinworms and how to prevent…. There are many dangerous signs of infections, and you might not even realize you have been bitten or infested until some time later.

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Who is at risk for amebiasis? What causes amebiasis? What are the symptoms of amebiasis? How is amebiasis diagnosed? Someone carrying amoebas in his or her intestines can pass the infection to others through the stool. When infected stool contaminates food or water supplies, amebiasis can spread quickly to many people at once. This is especially true in developing countries where drinking water may be contaminated.

Amebiasis can also be spread between people through inadequate hand washing , by using the same objects, and by sexual contact.

Because amoebas may contaminate food and water, you can help prevent the illness by being cautious about what you eat and drink, especially in developing countries, where a good rule regarding food is to cook it, boil it, peel it, or forget it. If your doctor suspects that your child has amebiasis, you may be asked to collect stool samples.

After diagnosis, treatment will usually require consultation with appropriate experts such as those at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC or other infectious disease specialists.

This is especially important if you have recently traveled to a part of the world where amebiasis is common. Your child should also be examined if he or she has persistent diarrhea without any other symptoms. Reviewed by: Nicole A. Green, MD Date reviewed: January Note: All information on KidsHealth is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

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