Giardia Lamblia (cont.)
Who is at risk for giardiasis?
Giardiasis occurs where there is inadequate sanitation or
inadequate treatment of drinking water. Giardiasis is one of the causes of "travelers diarrhea" that occurs during travel to less-developed countries
, for
example the Soviet Union, Mexico, Southeast Asia, and western South America.
Giardiasis is a common cause of outbreaks of diarrhea in day-care centers
because of the high probability of
fecal-oral contamination from children; the children, their families, and day
care center workers, all are at risk for infection. In fact, children are three
times more likely to develop giardiasis than adults. Hikers exploring back-country
areas who drink from contaminated fresh water lakes also are at risk for
developing giardiasis. Individuals who practice anal/oral sex also may become
infected.
What signs and symptoms does giardiasis cause?
The most common manifestations of giardiasis are diarrhea
and abdominal pain,
particularly cramping; however, diarrhea is not invariable and occurs in 60 to
90% of patients. Other common manifestations include bloating, nausea with or
without vomiting,
malaise, and fatigue. Fever is unusual. The severity of
the symptoms may vary greatly from mild or no symptoms to severe symptoms.
Stools may be foul smelling when the Giardia interferes with the absorption of
fat from
the intestine (malabsorption). The illness or the malabsorption may cause loss
of weight.
Symptoms and signs of giardiasis do not begin for at least
seven days following infection, but can occur as long as three or more weeks
later. In most patients the illness is self-limiting and lasts 2-4 weeks. In
many patients who are not treated, however, infection can last for several
months to years with continuing symptoms. Children with chronic infection may
fail to thrive. Some patients recover from their giardiasis, with or without
treatment, but symptoms continue, perhaps because there has been bacterial
overgrowth within the small intestine
Next: How is giardiasis diagnosed? »
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