Acute Amebic Dysentery

Amebic dysentery is a disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica parasitizing the colon, often called intestinal amebiasis or amebic colitis. It can also extend from the intestine to other organs or directly spread to adjacent tissues, especially the liver, forming abscesses.

Common Symptoms

Watery bloody stool; abdominal pain; tenesmus; hepatomegaly

Causes and Pathogenesis

The main sources of infection are chronic and convalescent patients and carriers who excrete cysts in feces. Because trophozoites have weak resistance, acute patients are not a source of infection. Pigs in China can also serve as a source of infection and deserve attention. Oral transmission of amebic cysts is the main route. Cyst contamination of water sources is the main cause of regional outbreaks and high infection rates; next are contaminated hands, food, or utensils; flies and cockroaches can carry cysts; and oral-anal contact or sexual transmission among male homosexuals is important in Western countries.

Treatment

Drug therapy, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

1. Health education: Educate the public through mass media on dietary and personal hygiene and civilized lifestyles; do not drink raw water, do not eat unclean fruits, vegetables, or raw greens; develop hygiene habits such as washing hands before meals, after using the toilet, or before preparing food. 2. Strengthen fecal management and livestock pen hygiene, implement hygienic feces treatment adapted to local conditions, and improve environmental hygiene. 3. Protect public water sources and strictly prevent fecal contamination; drinking water should be boiled. 4. Strengthen hygiene management of food businesses and public cafeterias; food preparation and staff operations should have hygiene supervision. 5. Vigorously eliminate flies and cockroaches; use fly screens or other measures to prevent food contamination.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Infectious Diseases department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.