>General Health >Epidemiology >Water Borne >Giardia

Giardia

Giardia is a diarrheal illness caused by a very small parasite that lives in the intestine and is passed in feces. It is found on surfaces, or in soil, food, or water that has been contaminated with feces from infected person or animal.

 

 

 

 

 

It is transmitted by:

• Swallowing contaminated recreational water (swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis, fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams).
• Swallowing something that has come in contact with the stool of an infected person or animal.
• Swallowing the parasite picked up from surfaces (such as lounge chairs, picnic tables, bathroom fixtures, changing tables) contaminated with stool from an infected person.
• Eating uncooked food contaminated with Giardia.
• Having contact with someone who is ill with Giardia.

Signs & Symptoms: begin 1-2 weeks after exposure and can last for 2-6 weeks.

• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Greasy stools that tend to float
• Stomach or abdominal cramps
• Upset stomach or nausea
• Weight loss
• Dehydration

Prevention:

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, handling trash, touching animals and before handling food.
• Do not swim if you have diarrhea and up to 1 week after it stops.
• Do not let children with diapers swim if they have diarrhea.
• Shower with soap and water before entering any recreational water.
• When swimming, take children on frequent bathroom breaks and change diapers often.
• Change diapers in bathroom and diaper changing areas only.
• Do not drink untreated water from shallow wells, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, and streams.
• Do not drink untreated water or use ice made from untreated water during boil water alerts.
• Do not swallow recreational water.
• Do not drink untreated water in countries where the water supply might be unsafe.
• Use safe uncontaminated water to wash all food that is to be eaten raw.
• Wash and peel all raw fruits and vegetables before eating.
• Avoid eating uncooked food when traveling to other countries with poor water treatment systems.
• Use a barrier during oral-anal sex.
• Wash hands immediately after handling a condom used during anal sex or after touching the anus or rectal area.
• Do not drink water from a well in a rural area where animals graze.