Giardia Infection: Causes and How It Spreads (2024)

FAQs

Giardia Infection: Causes and How It Spreads? ›

Giardia germs are in poop, so anything that gets contaminated by poop can potentially spread the germs. Giardia can spread from one person to another or through contaminated water, food, surfaces, or objects. Giardia spreads easily; swallowing just a few Giardia germs can make you sick.

Giardia infection is caused by a microscopic parasite that is found worldwide, especially in areas with poor sanitation and unsafe water.

Spread: Giardia is principally spread person-to-person. Persons become infected by fecal-oral transfer of cysts from the feces of an infected individual, especially in institutions and child care centers. Transmission can also occur person-to-person through certain types of sexual contact (e.g., oral-anal contact.

Giardiasis is caused by the flagellate protozoan Giardia intestinalis (formerly known as G lamblia or G duodenalis). Infection is transmitted through ingestion of infectious G lamblia cysts.

Metronidazole is the most commonly used antibiotic for giardia infection. Side effects may include nausea and a metallic taste in the mouth. Don't drink alcohol while taking this medication. Tinidazole (Tindamax).

Giardia germs are in poop of people or animals who are infected, so anything that gets contaminated by human or animal poop can potentially spread the germs. Giardia can spread from one person to another. It can also spread through contaminated water, food, surfaces, or objects.

Giardia germs are in poop, so anything that gets contaminated by poop can potentially spread the germs. Giardia can spread from one person to another or through contaminated water, food, surfaces, or objects. Giardia spreads easily; swallowing just a few Giardia germs can make you sick.

Untreated Giardia infection often goes away by itself. But if it doesn't, it can cause long-term complications for your digestive system, and even your immune system. It's important to see a healthcare provider if you have symptoms lasting longer than six weeks.

A person with the disease is contagious for the entire time they are infected, which may last many months. If you get it once, can you get it again? Yes. Being infected with Giardia does not seem to protect you from getting infected again.

Occasionally, Giardia infection causes long-term symptoms that can last for years. Complications and long-term symptoms can include: Reactive arthritis (joint pain) Irritable bowel syndrome, which causes stomach pain and other symptoms.

What can be mistaken for giardiasis? ›

Cryptosporidium and giardia have similar symptoms. You need to see a doctor to find out which disease you have.

At room temperature (around 25°C/77°F), Giardia can survive for approximately 1 week (7 days). In a dry, warm environment that experiences direct sunlight, Giardia can survive for only a few days 8,9. In a moist, cool environment, Giardia can survive for up to several weeks.

Eat slowly and avoid foods that are hard to digest or may irritate your stomach, such as foods with acid (like tomatoes or oranges), spicy or fatty food, meats, and raw vegetables. You may be able to go back to your normal diet in a few days.

Symptoms of giardiasis may include: Explosive, watery, foul-smelling stools. Greasy stools that tend to float.

Thus, drug resistance in Giardia is the ability of this parasite to survive in the presence of an antimicrobial drug dose that would normally kill it or limit its growth.

Since Giardia cysts can persist in the environment, decontamination of the environment is critical to preventing reinfection. Thoroughly wash your hands, clothes, and any objects and surfaces that your sick pet has been in contact with to avoid spreading the parasite to other pets.

An infection with Giardia is known as giardiasis. When it comes to food, you get giardiasis most commonly by eating undercooked pork, lamb, or wild game. Symptoms of infection include cramps, gas, diarrhea, and nausea.

However, since the past 30 years of the last century, epidemiology and natural history studies have led to improved understanding of giardiasis as a STI, as a result of oral–anal sexual contact. Studies suggest that Giardia is an increasingly recognized infection that may be underdiagnosed under the STI context.

Giardiasis infection occurs in a wide variety of domestic and wild mammal species including dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, beavers, coyotes, non-human primates, rodents, and raccoons.