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Giardiasis - Giardiasis symptom, treatment, causes

Giardiasis is mainly an infection of the sman intestine caused by the single-cell (protozoan) parasite Giardia lamblia. Giardiasis is contracted by ingesting food or water contaminated by the parasite, or by swanowing parasites transmitted by contact with an infected person.

Often symptoms are mild or absent, but may include abdominal bloating, loss of appetite, nausea, flatulence, colic and diarrhoea - occasionally severe or prolonged.

Giardiasis is diagnosed by finding the parasite in faeces, and can be effectively treated with antiprotozoan drugs

Giardiasis is an infection of the small intestine. In the united states, giardiasis is most common in travelers who have recently returned from endemic areas and in campers who drink unpurified water from contaminated streams. People become infected with the giardia parasite after swallowing giardia cysts often found in water contaminated by raw sewage or animal waste. Giardiasis mat also be spread by direct person-to-person contact, which has caused outbreaks in institutions such as day-care centers. Giardiasis may be spread, most commonly by eating food contaminated by the unwashed hands of an infected person or by drinking groundwater polluted by the feces of infected animals such as dogs and beavers. Giardiasis is also known as Giardia, Traveler's diarrhea - giardiasis. Giardia cysts are ingested with contaminated food or water or are acquired by unwashed hands. Although humans are the main reservoir of the parasite, a variety of both domestic and wild animals such as dogs, cats, cattle, beaver or deer carry Giardia species, which can infect humans. The most common symptoms of infection include diarrhea greater than ten days duration, abdominal pain, flatulence, bloating, vomiting, and weight loss. Symptoms vary from person to person, often depending on the inoculum size, duration of infection, and individual host and parasite factors.

Giardiasis can show itself in different ways. Young children are three times more likely to have giardiasis than adults. Giardiasis is diagnosed by examining a stool sample under a microscope to look for giardia cysts. Some people can be carriers of the parasite and have no symptoms of the disease. A mild infection may not produce intestinal symptoms. Giardia can survive the normal amounts of chlorine used to purify community water supplies, and can live for more than 2 months in cold water. As few as 10 of the microscopic parasites in a glass of water can cause a severe case of giardiasis in a human being who drinks it. In child-care centers or any facility caring for a group of people, giardiasis can easily pass from person to person. At home, an infected family dog with diarrhea may pass the parasite to human family members who take care of the sick animal. 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. Several prescription medicines are available to treat giardiasis. People with severe diarrhea should drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration.

Causes of Giardiasis

The common causes and risk factor's of Giardiasis include the following:

• G. lamblia (also known as G. intestinalis ), a flagellate protozoan found in the small intestines.
• Oral-anal sex.
• Contact with a person's hands that are contaminated with parasite cyst-infected stool.
• An impaired immune system.
• Eating uncooked or undercooked food contaminated with Giardia cysts.
• Unsanitary or crowed living conditions.

Symptoms of Giardiasis

Some sign and symptoms related to Giardiasis are as follows:

• Diarrhea.
• Abdominal pain.
• Headache.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Loss of appetite.
• Abdominal cramps.
• Constipation.
• Fatigue.
• Weight loss.

Treatment of Giardiasis

Here is list of the methods for treating Giardiasis:

• Anti-infective agents such as metronidazole (Flagyl; Protostat) or quinacrine may be used for the treatment of giardiasis.
• Drink fluids such as sports drinks, diluted fruit juices, flat soda, broth, soups, or preparations such as Pedialyte for children. Fluids should be taken in small amounts frequently throughout the day.
• When signs and symptoms are severe or the infection persists, doctors usually treat giardiasis with antibiotics such as metronidazole or tinidazole.
• Pregnant women shouldn't use these drugs during the first trimester because they can lead to birth defects. Some doctors prefer not to treat women at all during pregnancy, or they may opt to use a less toxic - though less effective - drug.
• A different medicine may also be given after the first dose is completed to ensure a complete cure.