Abdominal cramps and tenderness. A microscopic parasite that is spread by flies, cockroaches and direct contact with hands or food contaminated with feces. Faulty plumbing in hotels or other places. Raw vegetables or fruit fertilized with human feces or washed in polluted water. Travel to a foreign country.
Symptoms occur when the parasite invades tissues of the colon.
Symptoms may be very vague. Medical history and physical exam by a doctor. Laboratory studies of stool and blood serum. In most cases without complications, amebiasis is curable in 3 weeks with treatment. In the carrier state, this disease may not cause any symptoms.