Amoebiasis facts for kids
Amoebiasis, also called amebiasis, is an infection that affects your intestines. It is caused by tiny living things called amoebas. The main amoeba that causes this infection is named Entamoeba histolytica. People usually get this infection by drinking water that has these parasites in it.
Sometimes, the amoeba lives in a person's large intestine without causing any problems. But other times, it can cause different symptoms. These can include abdominal pain or mild diarrhea. Some people might have more serious symptoms like bloody diarrhea. In very serious cases, it can cause severe inflammation of the colon, called colitis. This can lead to tissue damage or even a hole in the intestine, which is called perforation. This can then cause a serious infection in the belly called peritonitis. Losing blood from the intestine can also lead to anemia.
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How Amoebiasis Spreads
Amoebiasis often spreads through water that has been contaminated with poop. It can also spread indirectly. This happens if someone touches dirty hands or objects that have the parasite on them.
The infection starts when you swallow the cyst form of the parasite. A cyst is a tough, protective shell that helps the amoeba survive outside the body. These cysts are found in the poop of infected people. Because amoebiasis spreads through dirty food and water, it is common in places with poor sanitation. These areas include parts of Mexico, Central America, western South America, South Asia, and western and southern Africa.
Amoebic Dysentery and Traveler's Diarrhea
Amoebic dysentery is a type of amoebiasis that causes severe diarrhea with blood. People sometimes confuse it with "traveler's diarrhea." This is because both are common in developing countries. However, most traveler's diarrhea is caused by bacteria or viruses, not amoebas.
Treating Amoebiasis
The E. histolytica parasite can infect both the intestine and other tissues, like the liver. Because of this, doctors often need to use two different types of medicine to treat the infection. These medicines are called amoebicides. One type of medicine treats the amoebas in the intestine. The other type treats them if they have spread to other parts of the body.
Images for kids
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How E. histolytica damages tissues. It causes host cell death, inflammation, and invades the body.
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A human intestine damaged by an amoebic ulcer.
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The importance of understanding Amoebiasis.
See also
In Spanish: Amebiasis para niños
