How Do You Know If You Have Amebiasis, or the Entamoeba Histolytica Parasite?

Amebiasis is a parasitic illness that begins in the intestine. Amebiasis is caused by a microscopic, one-celled parasite called Entamoeba histolytica. Anyone can be exposed to Entamoeba histolytica and come down with amebiasis, but it is most often seen in developing areas of Latin America, Africa, India, and Southeast Asia.

Amebiasis has become more common in the United States through immigrants from developing countries and by people who have visited developing countries. Poor sanitation, crowded conditions, and institutional settings also can increase the spread of amebiasis in the United States. In rare cases, Entamoeba histolytica can be spread through sexual contact.

Entamoeba histolytica is transmitted by the stool of an infected person. People become infected by Entamoeba histolytica when they put anything into their mouths that contains the Entamoeba histolytica parasite. This contamination may occur through water, food, or surfaces, often because of inadequate hand-washing. It’s estimated that 10 percent of the people who come into contact with Entamoeba histolytica become sick with amebiasis. The symptoms of amebiasis can range from mild to severe, including:

• Stomach pain
• Stomach cramping
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Loose stools
• Amebic dysentery
• Fever

In unusual cases, amebiasis may spread to the liver (forming an abscess), lungs, and brain. Once you come into contact with Entamoeba histolytica, the symptoms usually appear within one to four weeks.

Both in the United States and abroad, there are a few ways you can avoid becoming infected with intestinal parasites like Entamoeba histolytica, such as:

• Outside of the United States, drink only bottled water or water that has been boiled for at least one minute
• Avoid fountain drinks and drinks with ice cubes
• Avoid fresh fruit and vegetables that you did not peel yourself
• Be careful eating or drinking anything sold by street vendors
• Practice good personal hygiene
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before handling food

When eating and drinking in high-risk countries, there’s a helpful rule of thumb advising to “cook it, boil it, peel it, or forget it.” If you are concerned with being exposed to intestinal parasites, another good piece of advice is to try a natural parasite cleanse which is effective against many different intestinal parasites.