Giardiasis
Giardiasis, an intestinal illness, is caused by a microscopic parasite called Giardia lamblia.
Who gets giardiasis?
Anyone can get giardiasis but it tends to occur more often in people residing in institutional settings, diaper-aged children in day care centers, child care workers, foreign travelers, and individuals who drink improperly treated surface water (such as from lakes, rivers, or streams). Men who have sex with men may also be at increased risk of contracting giardiasis.
How is giardiasis spread?
The parasite is passed in the stool (feces) of an infected person or animal, and may contaminate soil, water, food or surfaces. Person-to-person transmission may occur in day care centers or other settings where hand washing practices are poor. Sexual practices which allow oral or hand contact with stool (feces) may result in spread.
Where are the Giardia parasites found?
Giardia has been found in infected people (with or without symptoms) and wild and domestic animals. The beaver has gained attention as a potential source of Giardia contamination of lakes, reservoirs, and steams, but human fecal wastes may be just as important.
What are the symptoms of giardiasis?
People exposed to giardia may experience mild or severe diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, and fatigue. In some instances, infection may be completely asymptomatic. Fever is rarely present. Occasionally, chronic diarrhea may develop over several weeks or months, with significant weight loss. In otherwise healthy persons, symptoms may last 2-6 weeks.
How soon after infection do symptoms appear?
The symptoms may appear from 3 to 25 days after exposure, but usually within 10 days.
How long can an infected person carry Giardia?
The carrier stage generally lasts from a few weeks to a few months. Treatment with specific antibiotics may shorten the carrier stage.
How is giardiasis diagnosed?
Examination of stool (feces) under a microscope is the most common way for a doctor to diagnose giardiasis. Sometimes, several stool samples obtained on different days are necessary, since the number of Giardia parasites shed in the stool (feces) varies from day to day.
What is the treatment for giardiasis?
Anti-infective drugs such as metronidazole, quinacrine, or furazolidone are often prescribed by doctors to treat giardiasis. Drug resistance or relapse may occur with any drug. Some individuals may recover on their own without medication. Although Giardia can infect all people, young children and pregnant women may be more susceptible to the dehydration caused by diarrhea and should drink plenty of fluids while ill.
Should an infected person be excluded from work or school?
Since the Giardia parasite is passed in the stool (feces), only people with active diarrhea who are unable to control their bowel habits (e.g., infants, young children, and certain handicapped individuals) should be isolated. Most infected people may return to work or school when their stools become formed as long as they wash their hands thoroughly after using the toilet. Food handlers, children in day care, and health care workers must obtain approval from the Health Department before returning to their routine activities. This requires follow-up stool testing to be sure that they are no longer infectious.
How can giardiasis be prevented?
The most important preventive measures include:
Always thoroughly wash hands with soap and water before handling food, after using the toilet or changing diapers, after handling animals, and after gardening or other direct contact with soil.
Carefully dispose of sewage wastes so as not to contaminate surface water or ground water. Do not drink water directly from streams, lakes, springs or swimming pools. Heat water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute whenever you are unsure of the safety of the water supply.
If you work in a child-care center where you change children's diapers, wash hands carefully between changing each child's diapers. If you use gloves, wash your hands and change gloves between each child.
Avoid sexual practices that may result in hand or mouth contact with stool (feces), such as anal sex or oral-anal contact. Individuals who are infected with Giardia should refrain from anal sex or oral-anal contact until effectively treated. Uncooked fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly before eating.
If you have giardiasis, avoid swimming in recreational waters while experiencing diarhhea and for at least 2 weeks after the diarrhea stops. Giardia in your stool(feces)can contaminate water for several weeks after your symptoms have ended.
** Note **
Please remember that the information presented in this forum is for your education only, and is not intended to extend medical advice or diagnosis. If you have questions or feel that you may be experiencing symptoms similar to those presented, please call the Berkeley County Health Department at (304) 263-5131 or your primary care provider for formal medical attention.
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Berkeley County Health Department