Balantidiasis is an intestinal infection with parasitic protozoa (Balantidium coli) that causes intestinal inflammation. The infection is usually passed on through direct or indirect contact with pig fecal matter.

Infected people are at risk to develop diarrhea with blood and mucus and an inflamed colon (colitis). The disease is very common in the areas with poor hygiene and surrounding with pigs, sheep, or goats.

Some of the common symptoms of the disease are:

If following preventing measures are taken, one can avoid the risk of Balantidiasis.

It is an intricate process because the relative symptoms of the infection may not be present in the body of the person, suffering with the disease.

If any person has diarrhea combined with a probable history of current exposure to amebiasis through travel, contact with infected persons, or anal intercourse, it becomes easy to detect Balantidiasis. However, microscopic examination of stool or tissue samples is the most common tests against Balantidiasis.

Tetracycline or metronidazole has been researched to be effective for the treatment of the infection. However, drugs that have proven effective in treating Balantidiasis include iodoquinol or paromomycin are also prescribed by doctors against the disease.