Health's Book

Definition

Amebiasis is an infection of the intestines caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica.

Symptoms

Usually, the illness lasts about 2 weeks, but it can come back if treatment is not given.

Mild symptoms:

• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhea
• Passage of 3 - 8 semiformed stools per day
• Passage of soft stools with mucus and occasional blood
• Fatigue
• Intestinal gas (excessive flatus)
• Rectal pain while having a bowel movement (tenesmus)
• Unintentional weight loss
• Severe symptoms:
• Abdominal tenderness
• Bloody stools
• Passage of liquid stools with streaks of blood
• Passage of 10 - 20 stools per day
• Fever
• Vomiting

Note: In 90% of people with amebiasis there are no symptoms.