Protozoa Facts

Some single celled animals live in the intestine and can cause infections.  Entamoeba histolytica causes amoebic dysentery with symptoms that include diarrhoea with blood and cysts present in the faeces and acute abdominal pain. 

Giardia is another intestinal parasite that causes severe diarrhoea and foul smelling faeces along with nausea and abdominal swelling.  Both parasites come from contaminated food or water.

The most widespread protozoan parasite is the amoeba that causes malaria. Symptoms of malaria include recurring fevers and sweats alternating with chills, often accompanied by severe head and body aches.