Medical Health Encyclopedia

Amebiasis


InjuryDiseasesNutritionPoison
SymptomsSurgeryTestSpecial Topic
Amebic brain abscess
Amebic brain abscess
Digestive system organs
Digestive system organs
Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention
Alternative Names

Amebic dysentery; Intestinal amebiasis


Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of infection. Usually, metronidaloze is given by mouth for 10 days.

If you are vomiting, you may need to receive medications through a vein (intravenously) until you can tolerate them by mouth. Antidiarrheal medications are usually not prescribed because they can make the condition worse.

After treatment, the stool should be rechecked to make sure that the infection has been cleared.


Support Groups


Expectations (prognosis)

The outcome is usually good with treatment. Usually, the illness lasts about 2 weeks, but it can come back if treatment is not given.


Complications
  • Liver abscess
  • Medication side effects, including nausea
  • Spread of the parasite through the blood to the liver, lungs, brain, or other organs

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have persistent diarrhea.



Review Date: 09/15/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).




Find a Therapist
PR Newswire