Giardiasis

What is giardiasis?

Giardiasis is an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite called Giardia.

How does it occur?

You may become infected if:

• You eat food or drink water that has had contact with human or animal waste.
• You have had contact with items touched by someone who is infected with Giardia, like bathroom fixtures or towels.
• You work in a day care center with children who are infected and who are in diapers or not toilet-trained.
• You have anal-oral sex with someone who is infected.

People most likely to have giardiasis are:

• travelers
• people who spend a lot of time outdoors, for example, camping
• children and their caretakers in day care centers
• male homosexuals.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms usually start 1 to 2 weeks after you are exposed to the parasite. Symptoms may include:

• mild to severe diarrhea
• bowel movements that are bulky, greasy, frothy, and foul smelling
• stomach cramps
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting.

Some people with giardiasis do not have any symptoms.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will review your symptoms, examine you, and test a sample of bowel movement.

How is it treated?

Your healthcare provider may prescribe an antibiotic. Take all of the medicine your provider prescribes. If you stop taking the medicine when your symptoms are gone but before the parasite is gone from your body, the infection may come back.

You may not need an antibiotic if you are not having symptoms. However, antibiotic treatment may be necessary to prevent spread to others.

How long will the effects last?

Symptoms of giardiasis may last 2 to 6 weeks. Sometimes it lasts longer.

How can I take care of myself?

If you have diarrhea, you may want to let your bowel rest for a few hours by drinking only clear liquids such as water, weak tea, bouillon, apple juice, or sports drinks or other oral rehydrating solutions. You may also drink soft drinks without caffeine (such as 7 UP). Let sodas lose some of their carbonation (go flat) before you drink them. Make sure you drink often so you do not get dehydrated. Not getting enough fluids to replace the fluids your body is losing while you are sick can be very dangerous. This is especially true for children, older adults, and some people who have other medical problems. Suck on ice chips or Popsicles if you feel too nauseated to drink fluids.

It is OK to keep eating as long as it does not seem to worsen the diarrhea or stomach cramps. Foods that are easiest to digest are soft foods, such as bananas, cooked cereal, rice, plain noodles, gelatin, eggs, toast or bread with jelly, and applesauce. Return to your normal diet after 2 or 3 days, but avoid milk products and caffeine for a few days. For several days also avoid fresh fruit (other than bananas), alcohol, greasy or fatty foods, highly seasoned or spicy foods, and most fresh vegetables. Cooked carrots, potatoes, and squash are fine. If eating seems to worsen the diarrhea, let your bowel rest for a few hours by drinking just clear liquids. Then again try small amounts of the foods listed above.

If you have stomach pain or cramps, it may help to put a hot water bottle or electric heating pad on your stomach. Cover the hot water bottle with a towel or set the heating pad on low to prevent burns.

Be cautious about taking antidiarrheal medicines. Nonprescription medicines such as loperamide (sold as Imodium and other trade names) or the prescription medicine Lomotil can make you sicker, especially if the diarrhea is bloody. If you take one of these medicines, make sure you use only the dose recommended on the package. If you have chronic health problems, always check with your healthcare provider before you use any medicine for diarrhea.

Remember that giardiasis is very contagious.

If you keep having symptoms or your symptoms get worse, tell your healthcare provider.

How can I help prevent giardiasis?

• Wash your hands with soap and water after going to the bathroom and before eating or handling food.
• If you work in a day care center, wash your hands often, especially every time after you change diapers or help children use the toilet.
• Avoid unclean water supplies, including ice cubes made from unclean water.
• Avoid food that may be contaminated.
• Wash towels and diapers separately from other laundry.
• If you have been infected, tell others who may have been exposed to the parasite (such as household members, sex partners, and day care contacts). They should be tested for the parasite.
• Don't swim in public places while you have diarrhea.
• When you travel to other countries with unsafe sanitation, avoid foods that are not cooked or peeled.
• Protect food from exposure to bowel movements, flies, and unclean water.
• When you are outdoors, particularly when camping or hiking, drink water only after it has been purified with boiling, proper filtration, or disinfectant tablets.
• Avoid exposure to bowel movements during sexual activity.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File infd4547.htm Release 13/2010