Transmission occurs through ingestion of fecally contaminated food or water. Flies can serve as carriers of the amebic cysts. Infected food handlers can spread the disease. Signs and Symptoms Symptoms of amebiasis are variable. You may be carrying the parasites and have no symptoms whatsoever.
Mild illness causes crampy abdominal pain, little or no fever, and semiformed, foul-smelling stools.
Mucus may be present but usually without blood. Soft stools or diarrhea may alternate with constipation. You may experience fatigue, loss of appetite, and some weight loss. The symptoms at this stage are similar to those of giardiasis. Illness at this stage represents a medical emergency and requires urgent care.