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Amebiasis

Alternative Names

Amebic dysentery; Intestinal amebiasis

Treatment

Oral antiparasitic medication is the standard treatment for amebiasis. The choice of drug depends on the severity of the infection.

When the patient is vomiting, intravenous therapy may be necessary until medications can be tolerated by mouth. Antidiarrheal medications are usually not prescribed and can make the condition worse.

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

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome is likely to be good with treatment.

Possible Complications

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

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if persistent diarrhea occurs.

Review Date: 8/15/2006
Reviewed By: Hilary M. Babcock, M.D., Medical Director of Occupational Infection Control, Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's Hospitals; Instructor of Medicine, Infectious Disease Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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