Gastroenteritis - amoebiasis

Gastroenteritis (gastro) can be a problem for travelers to countries with poor sanitation. Amoebiasis, a type of gastro, is a cause of diarrhea among travelers to developing countries. It is caused by a parasite known as that infects the bowel.

Amoebiasis most commonly affects young to middle-aged adults.

Proper handwashing helps prevent the spread of amoebiasis#

When traveling overseas, especially to developing countries, remember to ‘cook it, peel it or leave it’.

Signs and symptoms include: fever#

Amoebiasis can also cause abscesses elsewhere in the body, such as the liver.

After you are infected with amoebiasis it may take days, months or years before you become ill.

However, the illness usually develops two to four weeks after infection.

Amoebiasis occurs when the parasites or their eggs (cysts) are taken in by mouth. People with amoebiasis have parasites in their feces (poo). The infection can spread when infected people do not dispose of their feces in a sanitary manner or do not wash their hands properly after going to the toilet.

Contaminated hands can then spread the parasites to food that may be eaten by other people and surfaces that may be touched by other people. Hands can also become contaminated when changing the nappies of an infected infant. Amoebiasis can also be spread by: unprotected oral-anal sexual contact.

Some people carry the parasite or cysts in their feces without having symptoms, but they can still pass the disease on to other people.

If you develop gastro after returning home from overseas, contact your doctor. They may arrange for a stool (feces) sample to be tested.

If the results show that you have amoebiasis, your doctor will provide appropriate advice and treatment.

You may need to take time off work until the symptoms stop#

People with amoebiasis must not attend school or children’s services until the diarrhea has ceased.

If you are a food handler or healthcare worker, it is recommended that you do not attend work until the diarrhea has ceased.

To help prevent the spread of amoebiasis around the home: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and hot running water for at least 15 seconds after using the toilet or changing a nappy.

Clean bathrooms and toilets often#

Pay particular attention to toilet seats and taps#

Avoid sharing towels or face washers#

When preparing food, food handlers are advised to make sure that: hands are thoroughly washed with soap and hot running water before touching food. Use paper towel or an air dryer to dry hands microwaves are used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

When traveling and visiting developing countries: Avoid eating uncooked foods, particularly vegetables and fruit which cannot be peeled before eating.

Drink only packaged drinks, boiled water or chlorinated and filtered water.

Avoid drinks containing ice#

Remember, ‘cook it, peel it or leave it’., Department of Health. Entamoeba histolytica Symptoms of amoebiasis diarrhea (which may contain blood) stomach cramps Causes of amoebiasis Entamoeba histolytica drinking contaminated water eating contaminated raw vegetables and fruit If you develop gastroenteritis Prevention of amoebiasis raw vegetables are thoroughly washed and cooked the internal temperature of reheated food reaches at least 75°C (167°F)

Where to get help#

Key Points#

• Amoebiasis, a type of gastro, is a cause of diarrhea among travelers to developing countries
• caused by a parasite known as that infects the bowel
• Amoebiasis most commonly affects young to middle-aged adults
• Proper handwashing helps prevent the spread of amoebiasis
• Signs and symptoms include: fever