Giradiasis is an illness caused by a parasite called Giardia intestinalis. It lives in soil, food and water. It may also be on surfaces that have been contaminated with waste. You can become infected if you swallow the parasite.
Diarrhea is the main symptom of giardia infection. Others include
- Passing gas
- Greasy stools
- Stomach cramps
- Upset stomach or nausea
These symptoms may lead to weight loss and loss of body fluids. Some people have no symptoms at all. Symptoms of infection often last two to six weeks. Doctors use several drugs to treat it.
The best way to prevent giardia infection is to practice good hygiene, including frequent hand washing. You should not drink water that may be contaminated. You should also peel or wash fresh fruit and vegetables before eating.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Giardiasis(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/digestive/disorders/078.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/digestive/disorders/078.printerview.html
- Giardia Infection (Giardiasis)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/giardia-infection/DS00739/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
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Giardiasis(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/giardiasis/factsht_giardiasis.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/giardiasis/factsht_giardia_sp.htm
- Diagnosis of Parasitic Diseases(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/public/geninfo_diagnosis_diseases.htm
- O&P Test(American Association for Clinical Chemistry) - http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/op/test.html
- Giardia and Healthy Swimming(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/giardiafacts.htm
- Giardiasis: Health Information for International Travel(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-Giardiasis.aspx
- Risks from Food and Water (Drinking and Recreational): Health Information for International Travel(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh2-FoodWaterRisks.aspx
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Giardiasis
(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Giardiasis%22
- Article: Crusaders' dysentery. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18718438&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: PCR amplification of triosephosphate isomerase gene of Giardia lamblia in... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18693546&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Lack of an adverse effect of Giardia intestinalis infection on... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18669932&tool=MedlinePlus
- Giardia Infections -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=giardiasis[mh]+OR+giardia[mh]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-borne, and Enteric Diseases, Division of Parasitic Diseases(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/
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National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/
- Giardiasis(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/parasitic/giardiasis.html
- Drinking Water - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drinkingwater.html
- Parasitic Diseases - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/parasiticdiseases.html
- Infections - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/infections.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Giardia Infections is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - http://www.niaid.nih.gov/