Question

What parasite causes giardiasis? How is it transmitted and what are the typical manifestations of the disease?

Answer 1

1. Person-to-person contact:

Infection may be caused by poor hygiene and most commonly occurs in daycare centers, nursing homes, and during oral-anal sexual contact.

Family members, daycare workers, and others in contact with infected stool may then themselves become infected.

2. Contaminated food:

Food that may have been washed in contaminated water, exposed to manure, or prepared by an infected person can transmit the disease.

3. Contaminated water supplies:

Giardia lambliais one of the most common causes of water-borne diarrhea outbreaks.

Sources of contaminated water include public facilities that improperly filter and treat water, water in developing countries, or rivers and lakes used by hikers.

Overseas travelers and hikers are at a high risk for infection.

Manifestations

They frequently include diarrhea, pale greasy stools, stomach cramps, gas, nausea, vomiting, bloating, weight loss, and weakness. Some people may experience explosive, foul smelling diarrhea. Fever, rash, and joint pain are less common. The symptoms usually last for 1 to 2 weeks, but may last as long as 6 weeks.

Individuals who have other illnesses may experience longer-lasting symptoms resulting in complications such as prolonged diarrhea leading to dehydration, further weight loss, and malnutrition. Other complications include arthritis and damage to the cells that line the intestine.