Giardiasis: Symptoms and Treatment

Giardiasis is serious health infection that attacks your small intestine. The infection results from a tiny parasite known as Giardia lamblia and spreads from infected person to infected person. However, the disease may also spread via contaminated food and water, and it exists all over the globe. It’s important to note, though, that the infection is more common in developing, overcrowded countries with poor water quality and sanitary conditions.

Risk Factors for Giardiasis

There are many risk factors associated with giardiasis that may indicate whether you’re at an increased risk of developing the infection. These people may be at a higher risk for the illness:

• International travelers
• Childcare workers
• Children attending daycare centers, especially diaper-aged children
• Childcare workers
• Parents or guardians of infected children
• People who consume contaminated food or water
• People who drink unfiltered or untreated water
• People who drink water from shallow wells

Causes of Giardiasis

Giardia lamblia, a parasite commonly found in human and animal feces and contaminated water, food, and soil, causes giardiasis. Because the parasite can live outside a host for long periods, it’s easy to accidentally consume the parasites that result in giardiasis.

One of the primary ways to contract giardiasis is to drink water containing the parasite. Water in lakes, streams, spas, and even swimming pools may contain the parasite. That said, it’s less likely to contract the illness from food because the parasite dies when cooked or heated.

The infection may also spread via personal contact, including sex.

Symptoms of Giardiasis

Giardiasis has many symptoms that usually appear one to two weeks after exposure to the parasite. Some of the more common symptoms include the following:

• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Abdominal cramps or pain
• Excessive gas
• Weight loss
• Headaches

Diagnosis of Giardiasis

If you think you may have giardiasis, consult with your healthcare provider. During your appointment, your doctor may perform a physical exam and collect a stool sample to check for giardia parasites. Your doctor may also order additional stool samples, and he or she may also perform an enteroscopy.

Treatment of Giardiasis

If you’re diagnosed with giardiasis, your doctor may recommend a variety of treatment options, including medications and antiparasitic drugs, including the following:

• Metronidazole: This is a commonly prescribed antibiotic that is typically taken for five to seven days. Nausea is a common side effect.
• Paromomycin: This drug is one of the safer options for pregnant women because it has a lower chance of causing birth defects than other drugs used for treating giardiasis.
• Tinidazole: This is another effective medication capable of treating giardiasis in one powerful dose.
• Nitazoxanide: This is typically prescribed to children and is usually only taken for three days.

Prognosis of Giardiasis

Fortunately, with modern medicines and effective treatment options, the prognosis for giardiasis infections is better than it used to be. Nowadays, infections usually clear up within six to eight weeks. However, even once the infection clears up, other issues such as lactose intolerance may persist long after.

Complications of Giardiasis

If left untreated, giardiasis may result in complications, including dehydration and weight loss. Infected children may also suffer from malnutrition and problems with their mental and physical development