People also get amebiasis when they swallow water or food contaminated with stool from an infected person.
Amebiasis is treatable with antibiotics.
To prevent amebiasis, follow careful handwashing and waste disposal practices. When traveling to tropical areas, follow safe food and water precautions. Amebiasis is a parasitic infection of the large intestine. Amebiasis is caused by Entamoeba histolytica, a microscopic one-celled parasite. The parasite produces cysts that are passed in the stool of infected persons.