What Is Amebiasis?
How is amebiasis diagnosed? continued...
If you have been told that you are infected with E. histolytica but
you are feeling fine, you might be infected with E. dispar instead.
Unfortunately, most laboratories do not yet have the tests that can tell
whether a person is infected with E. histolytica or with E.
dispar. Until these tests become more widely available, it usually is best
to assume that the parasite is E. histolytica.
A blood test is also available. However, the test is recommended only when
your health care provider thinks that your infection has invaded the wall of
the intestine (gut) or some other organ of your body, such as the liver. One
problem is that the blood test may still be positive if you had amebiasis in
the past, even if you are no longer infected now.
How is amebiasis treated?
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. histolytica infection has not made you sick. You probably will be
treated with two antibiotics (first one and then the other) if your infection
has made you sick.
I am going to travel to a country that has poor sanitary conditions. What
should I eat and drink there so I will NOT become infected with E.
histolytica or other such germs?
- Drink only bottled or boiled (for 1 minute) water or carbonated (bubbly)
drinks in cans or bottles. Do not drink fountain drinks or any drinks with ice
cubes. Another way to make water safe is by filtering it through an
"absolute 1 micron or less" filter and dissolving iodine tablets in the
filtered water. "Absolute 1 micron" filters can be found in
camping/outdoor supply stores.
- Do not eat fresh fruit or vegetables that you did not peel yourself.
- Do not eat or drink milk, cheese, or dairy products that may not have been
- Do not eat or drink anything sold by street vendors.
Should I be concerned about spreading infection to the rest of my household?
Yes. However, the risk of spreading infection is low if the infected person
is treated with antibiotics and practices good personal hygiene. This includes
thorough hand washing with soap and water after using the toilet, after
changing diapers, and before handling food.