Giardia Lamblia Parasite

• Giardia Definition
• Giardia Causes
• Giardia Symptoms
• Giardia Tests and Treatment
• Prevention

Giardia Definition

Giardia Infection - an intestinal infection caused by the gangria lamblia parasites, mainly occuring in countries with poor sanitation, and less frequent in developed countries. The problem is not life-threatening, but causes digestion, stomach problems, and diarrhea.

Giardia Causes

Giardia infection is caused by a microscopic parasite infect the intestines. These parasites are called Lamblia. Lamblia are found in areas with poor sanitation or unclean water. Once the lamblia parasite finds a host, the parasites spread and multiply, causing infection. Common contaminans are;

• Contaminated water
• Contaminated food that may be irrigated, farmed, treated or washed with contaminated water
• Person-to-person anal of fecal contact
• Contact with feces
• Contact with childrens diapers

Giardia Symptoms

Symptoms of the giardia lamblia infection are often

• Abdominal cramps and bloating
• Fatigue and Nausea, and sometimes weight-loss
• Diarrhea
• Greasy stools
• Bloody stools
• Foul-smelling stools
• Excessive gas
• Dehydration
• Developing a lactose intolerance

Some people carrying giardia lamblia infection never develop symptoms but can spread it to others through feces contact. Peple who experience giardia lambli parasite symptoms usually feel relief within six weeks with the possibility of some lingering intestinal problems from long-term damage.

Giardia Tests and Treatment

Stool samples are examined in a laboratory for the presence of the lambia giardia parasite to diagnose this digestive problem. If giardia is diagnosed, common tratments and medications are:

• Metronidazole (Flagyl) - antibiotic for giardia infection with side effects of nausea and a metallic taste in the mouth
• Tinidazole (Tindamax) - antibiotic that can be given in a single dose
• Nitazoxanide (Alinia) - liquid form for easier taking of the medication
• Paromomycin - less effective than other treatments, but give to pregnant women because it has fewer side effects

Giardia Prevention

Prevention for giardia lamblia parasite infection are common-sense precautions like

• Washing hands after using the toilet, changing diapers, before eating or preparing food
• Use alcohol-based sanitizers when soap is not available
• Purify wilderness water
• Don't drink water from shallow wells, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds and streams unless you filter it or boil the water
• Don't swallow water when swimming in pools, lakes or streams
• Use bottled water
• Don't use ice, and avoid raw fruits and vegetables, even those you peel yourself
• Practice safer sex