Amoebiasis (pronounced as ami-b-asis) is a germ that mainly leads to diarrhea. It is caused by a parasite called Entamoeba histolytica.

Amoebiasis usually occurs by consumption of contaminated water or food that contains the cysts of entamoeba. Most often it spreads by house flies and cockroaches.

Children with amebiasis present with loose motions with blood and mucus, foul smelling flatus and uneasiness. Chronic infection may lead to weight loss and malnourished children. There is pain in lower abdomen especially on passing a bowel motion. If infection period is long it can involve liver and other body organs also leading to a condition called as amoebic abscess.

Amoebiasis is diagnosed by examination of stool and isolating the cysts of the entamoeba.

Amoebiasis is a 100% treatable disease and specific antibiotics such as metronidazole or nitazoxanide may be used for the treatment under a doctor’s prescription. If the disease is advanced and has lead to formation of abscess then the abscess may need to be removed by surgery.

Filtration of water and boiling of water kills cysts that cause amebiasis. There is no vaccine available for prevention of amoebic infection.