05/16/25 Public Health Education Topic: Giardia

Per CDC:

Key points

• Giardia is a tiny parasite (germ) that causes diarrhea.

• Giardia can spread easily from one person to another or through water, food, surfaces, or objects.

• A healthcare provider can prescribe medicine to treat illness caused by Giardia.

  
  

What it is

Giardia duodenalis (Giardia for short) is a parasite. Illness caused by Giardia is called giardiasis.

Giardia lives in the gut of infected people and animals and comes out of the body in poop.

Giardia can survive for weeks to months outside the body (for example, in soil).

In the United States, more people get sick from Giardia than from any other parasite that lives in the gut.

Every year, more than 1 million people get sick from Giardia.

Giardia is found in every region of the United States and around the world.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually begin by having diarrhea 2 to 5 times per day and feeling more and more tired.

Short-term symptoms include:

• Diarrhea

• Gas

• Smelly, greasy poop that can float

• Stomach cramps or pain

• Upset stomach or nausea

• Dehydration (loss of fluids)

Symptoms usually begin 1 to 2 weeks after becoming infected with Giardia and last for 2 to 6 weeks. Occasionally, people have long-term symptoms that can last for years.

To learn more visit: About Giardia Infection | Giardia | CDC