Amoebiasis
Amoebiasis is a gastrointestinal illness that is contracted by the eating of foods or drinking of water that has inadvertently been contaminated with the fecal amoeba known as Entamoeba histolytica. One does not necessarily develop symptoms of amoebiasis for several years after the infection point, but once symptoms are present, the illness can be life threatening.
Causes of Amoebiasis
There several methods in which one can contract Amoebiasis, although none of them are pleasant. One can contract the amoeba by eating food that has been cooked or handled in an unsanitary manner. This food means that it could have been handled by those who have poor hygiene or has come in contact with fecal matter either in the air or directly. This food typically can be sanitized by proper cooking and eating well cooked meat is a great way to prevent the food contamination, but many people eat the meat undercooked, exposing themselves to the amoeba.
In addition to food sources, there are other sources that can allow for one to contract the amoeba. These sources include standing or running water with the contaminate in it or contact with an individual who has amoebiasis. Standing or running water that may have the amoeba includes ponds, streams and puddles. These are water sources are easy to come across while hiking or walking and can contain the amoeba. People can then come in contact with this contaminate by stepping in the water or being splashed by the water and then eating after not completely washing their hands. Contact with individuals who have amoebiasis can occur by shaking hands with or any other contact with an individual who may not have the best hygiene measures.
Amoebiasis Treatment
Once the condition has been contracted, the method of its damage is slow but effective. Most people go symptom free for long periods. This can make it hard to diagnose where they got the amoeba. The amoeba works in the intestinal track and eats bacteria and foods that are in the gut. The amoeba only becomes a problem if it comes in contact with the intestinal lining which is protected with a lining of mucus. If the amoeba comes in contact with this lining the amoeba will devour the wall as it has the bacteria. This will make for funnel shaped cysts and granular like scars that can easily be confused with cancer.
If amoebiasis condition remains undiagnosed, the amoeba can eventually reach the bloodstream. This can be a very devastating problem for those individuals who have contracted the amoeba as this is where most of the deaths come from. If the amoeba reaches the blood stream, it then has free access to the body. The most common place for it to settle is the liver. This can eventually cause liver failure which can be fatal.
To fight with the amoebiasis disease, medication has been devised. First one has to diagnose the problem, which can be tricky since it acts like other illnesses. Cysts or egg cases of the amoeba are often used to detect the illness. Once amoebiasis has been detected, treatment can begin. The treatment often consists of two different medications. One medication kills the amoebas that have made it to the blood stream and the other kills the amoebas that remain in the intestinal track. There are herbal remedies for amoebiasis treatment, but these are still unproven.
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