07/28/26 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.

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.

How it spreads

You can get sick if you swallow Giardia.

Giardia germs are in poop, so anything that gets contaminated by poop can potentially spread the germs. Giardia can spread from one person to another or through contaminated water, food, surfaces, or objects.

Giardia spreads easily; swallowing just a few Giardia germs can make you sick.

Prevention

You can take steps to avoid getting or spreading Giardia:

• Wash your hands with soap and water at key times.

• Avoid swallowing water while swimming.

• Boil or filter water from lakes, springs, or rivers before drinking or preparing food with it.

• Wait to have sex for several weeks after you or your partner no longer have diarrhea.

• Avoid touching animal poop.

• Clean and disinfect areas where a person or pet recently had diarrhea.

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