Skip navigation | ||
|
||
Medical Encyclopedia |
|
Other encyclopedia topics: | A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9 |
Contents of this page: | |
|
|
|
|
Alternative names Return to top
Giardia; Traveler's diarrhea - giardiasisDefinition Return to top
Giardia is an infection of the small intestine caused by a protozoa, Giardia lamblia.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Giardia outbreaks can occur in communities in both developed and developing countries where water supplies become contaminated with raw sewage. It can be contracted by drinking water from lakes or streams where water-dwelling animals such as beavers and muskrats, or where domestic animals such as sheep, have caused contamination. It is also spread by direct person-to-person contact, which has caused outbreaks in day-care centers.
Travelers are at risk for giardiasis throughout the world. Campers and hikers are at risk if they drink untreated water from streams and lakes. Other risk factors include unprotected anal sex, exposure to a family member with giardiasis, and institutional (day-care or nursing home) exposure. There has been an increase in cases in the last few years.
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
Treatment Return to top
Some infections resolve on their own. Anti-infective agents such as metronidazole or quinacrine may be used. Furazolidone is generally used to treat children. Cure rates are generally greater than 80%. Drug resistance may be a factor in treatment failures, sometimes requiring a change in antibiotic therapy.
In pergnant women, treatment should wait until after delivery because none of the drugs used to treat the infection are approved for use in pregnancy.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Spontaneous resolution is common, but persistent infections have been reported and require further antibiotic treatment. Some people who have had Giardia infections for a long time are slow to resolve their symptoms even after the infection has gone.Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if diarrhea or other symptoms persist beyond 14 days, or if blood in the stool or dehydration occur.Prevention Return to top
Water purification methods such as boiling, filtration, and iodine treatment should be used when surface water is used. Hikers or others using surface water should consider all sources as potentially contaminated.
Workers in day-care centers or institutions should use good handwashing and hygiene techniques when going from child to child or patient to patient.
Safer sexual practices, especially regarding anal sex, may decrease the risk of contracting or spreading giardiasis.
Home | Health Topics | Drug Information | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources | |
Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Selection Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services |
Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |