Amebiasisis an intestinal illness that's transmitted when someone eats or drinks something that's contaminated with a microscopic parasite called Entamoebahistolytica (E. histolytica).

Amebiasis occurs in areas where living conditions are crowded and where there is a lack of adequate sanitation.

Amebiasis is contagious. Wherever living conditions are unsanitary and hygiene is poor, someone carrying amoebas in his or her intestines can pass the infection to others through the stool. When infected stool contaminates food or water supplies, amebiasis can spread quickly to many people at once. Amebiasis can also be spread between people through inadequatehand washing,and by using the same objects.

Symptoms of amebiasis can begin within days to weeks of swallowing food or water contaminated by amoebas, or take months to appear or never appear at all.

There are usually minimal or no symptoms, however in most cases there is abdominal pain that begins gradually, along with frequent loose or watery bowel movements, cramps, nausea, and a loss of appetite. In some cases they develop a fever and, possibly, bloody stools.

There is no vaccine to prevent amebiasis.Because amoebas may contaminate food and water, you should cautious about what your child eats and drinks, follow sanitary precautions regarding proper handwashing.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your doctor if your child has signs or symptoms of amebiasis, including:

·         diarrhea with blood or mucus

·         abdominal pain

·         fever

·         distended abdomen

·         pain or tenderness in the area of the liver (below the ribs on the right side)