| Disease/Syndrome |
Giardiasis |
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| Category |
Infection, Travel |
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| Acute/Chronic |
Acute-Moderate |
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| Synonyms |
Noninflammatory diarrhea |
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| Biomedical References |
Search PubMed |
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| Comments |
Many infections are asymptomatic. Acute symptoms include malodorous diarrhea, cramping, and nausea. Chronic symptoms include diarrhea, distention, flatus, and weight loss. [Merck Manual, p. 1568] Beaver and other animals are possible reservoirs for Giardia lambia. Children may become infected in daycare centers; also by drinking or swimming in contaminated water or eating contaminated food. Anal intercourse increases the risk of disease transmission. [CCDM, p. 229-31] Other reservoirs are dogs, cats, goats, sheep, and primates. [PPID, p. 3632-3] About 1/4 of patients have vomiting and <20% have fever. Other findings occasionally described are urticaria and reactive arthritis. Patients may be lactose intolerant for several weeks after completion of treatment. [Guerrant, p. 984-93] |
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| Latency/Incubation |
1 week to 10 days; range of 3-25 days or possibly longer |
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| Diagnostic |
Direct microscopic identification of cysts or trophozoites; commercially available immunoassays for stool antigens (94-100% sensitivity/100% specificity) and direct fluorescent antibodies for cysts (100% sensitivity/specificity); [Current Consult, p. 416] |
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| ICD-9 Code |
007.1 |
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| Effective Antimicrobics |
Yes |
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| Scope |
Global; Increased risk for travelers who visit rural areas with poor sanitation or trek in backcountry areas; [CDC Travel, p. 150] |
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| Reference Link |
CDC - Giardiasis |
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| Related Information in Haz-Map |
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| Symptoms/Findings |
Symptoms/Findings associated with this disease:
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| Job Tasks |
High risk job tasks associated with this disease:
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