Which disease is caused by giardiasis?

Giardiasis is a diarrheal disease caused by the microscopic parasite Giardia duodenalis (or “Giardia” for short). Once a person or animal has been infected with Giardia, the parasite lives in the intestines and is passed in stool (poop). Once outside the body, Giardia can sometimes survive for weeks or even months.

What is the most common cause of Giardia?

You get giardia from: drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food. being in contact with infected animals that are carrying the parasite. being in close contact with someone who has giardia – eg, people living in the same house or if you’re looking after someone who has giardia.

What are the diseases associated with G lamblia?

Infection with Giardia lamblia causes a chronic diarrheal disease called giardiasis that is characterized by steatorrhea (fatty stools), abdominal cramps, bloating, frequent loose stools, fatigue and weight loss. Reactive arthritis is a common complication after a severe and chronic episode of giardiasis.

How is giardiasis transmitted to humans?

Giardiasis spreads through water or food contaminated with the stool (poop) of someone who’s infected. Animals (mainly dogs and beavers) who have giardiasis also can pass the parasite in their stool.

How is giardiasis diagnosed?

To help diagnose giardia infection (giardiasis), your doctor is likely to test a sample of your stool. For accuracy, you may be asked to submit several stool samples collected over a period of days. The samples are then examined in a lab for the presence of parasites.

What is the best treatment for Giardia?

Several drugs can be used to treat Giardia infection. Effective treatments include metronidazole, tinidazole, and nitazoxanide. Other medications include paromomycin, quinacrine, and furazolidone.

Is giardiasis a virus or bacteria?

Parasites – Giardia Giardia is a tiny parasite (germ) that causes the diarrheal disease giardiasis. Giardia is found on surfaces or in soil, food, or water that has been contaminated with feces (poop) from infected people or animals. You can get giardiasis if you swallow Giardia germs.

Where is Giardia lamblia found in the body?

Giardia parasites live in the intestines of people and animals. Before the microscopic parasites are passed in stool, they become encased within hard shells called cysts, which allows them to survive outside the intestines for months. Once inside a host, the cysts dissolve and the parasites are released.

How is Giardia lamblia diagnosed?

How do medical professionals diagnose giardiasis? The best single test for diagnosing giardiasis is antigen testing of the stool. For antigen testing, a small sample of stool is tested for the presence of Giardial proteins. The antigen test will identify more than 90% of people infected with Giardia.

What antibiotic kills Giardia?

Certain antibiotics are commonly used to treat giardiasis: Metronidazole is an antibiotic that needs to be taken for five to seven days. It can cause nausea and leave a metallic taste in your mouth. Tinidazole is as effective as metronidazole, and often treats giardiasis in a single dose.

Can Giardia affect the heart?

Severe complications from the parasite can include heart tissue inflammation and life-threatening arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, researchers reported in the journal StatPearls.

How do you test for giardiasis?

How is giardiasis diagnosed? Healthcare providers can diagnose giardiasis by testing your stool for the Giardia parasite. The parasite may not show up in every stool sample. For that reason, your provider may need more than one sample to confirm a diagnosis.

What can I eat with Giardia?

You may eat soft, plain foods. Good choices are soda crackers, toast, plain noodles, or rice, cooked cereal, applesauce, and bananas. Eat slowly and avoid foods that are hard to digest or may irritate your stomach, such as foods with acid (like tomatoes or oranges), spicy or fatty food, meats, and raw vegetables.

Can Giardia affect your kidneys?

Although these complications are rare with giardia infection, left untreated, severe dehydration can lead to serious consequences including: Acute renal (kidney) failure= Coma.

What is the best medicine for Giardia?

Metronidazole (Flagyl). Metronidazole is the most commonly used antibiotic for giardia infection. Side effects may include nausea and a metallic taste in the mouth.

Can you drink milk with Giardia?

Some people with giardia have trouble digesting milk products. If you have diarrhea, try eating small amounts of food when you feel like eating. But you need to take frequent sips of clear fluids like rehydration drinks to avoid dehydration.

Can Giardia be cured?

In most cases, giardiasis eventually clears up on its own. Your doctor might prescribe medication if your infection is severe or prolonged. Most doctors will recommend treatment with antiparasitic drugs, rather than leaving it to clear up on its own.

What foods make Giardia worse?

Eat slowly and avoid foods that are hard to digest or may irritate your stomach, such as foods with acid (like tomatoes or oranges), spicy or fatty food, meats, and raw vegetables. You may be able to go back to your normal diet in a few days.