What is giardiasis?
"jee-ar-DYE-uh-sus") is an infection of the intestines caused by the parasiteGiardia lamblia.
The illness, also called
giardia (say "jee-AR-dee-uh"), is most often a problem in undeveloped countries where tap water is
How can you become infected with giardia?
become infected with giardia if you eat food or drink water that is tainted
with human or animal waste. In the United States and Canada, you can get
giardia by drinking untreated water from wells, streams, rivers, and lakes.
This is true even in mountain lakes and streams where the water may seem very
pure. The infection can also happen if you swallow contaminated water while you swim.
You can get giardia from someone else through:
- Close contact with someone who is
- Working in day care centers for young children. For
example, if you change a diaper and don't wash your hands afterward, anything
or anyone you touch could get infected. You could even get the illness yourself
if you touch your mouth or eat food that you've touched. Children in day care
centers are also more likely to get infected.
- Working or living in
nursing homes or other care centers where people may have poor bowel control
and poor hygiene.
- Some types of sexual contact, such as anal-oral
What are the symptoms?
Giardia can cause diarrhea,
stomach cramps, gas, and nausea. You may feel sick once and then get better. Or
your symptoms may come and go for some time. Some children with giardiasis do
not grow or gain weight normally. Sometimes giardiasis does not cause any
After a person is exposed to the parasite, it usually
takes 7 to 10 days for the infection to develop, but it can take from 3 to 25
days or longer. You can pass the infection to others during the entire time you
are infected. You may be infected for months, even if you don't have
How is it diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask questions about your past health and will do a physical exam to find out if you have giardiasis. He or she may also test your stool for the parasite that causes the infection.