Facts About Giardia
What Is Giardia?

Giardia is a tiny parasite which attaches itself to the upper intestine (gut) and may cause diarrhoea.

It occurs worldwide but is particularly prevalent in the tropics. It is an important cause of traveller's diarrhoea.

What Illness Does It Cause?

many people have giardiasis and show no symptoms - these are carriers of the infection. Others develop symptoms 1 - 2 weeks after ingesting the parasite. Symptoms include diarrhoea, often watery in the early stages of the illness, nausea (feeling sick), no appetite, abdominal pain and bloating. Then stools may become paler, bulky and foul-smelling. If the illness goes on for a long time, weight loss can be great even in previously health adults.

The duration of the illness is variable, it may be chronic and recur.

What Is The Treatment?

Once diagnosed, antibiotics such as metronidazole can be prescribed by a doctor. It is important that the full course of antibiotics is taken, and that when diarrhoea is severe, plenty of fluids are taken to replace those being lost. Once the course of antibiotics is finished, the doctor may ask for another stool sample to be sent to the laboratory to make sure the infection is cleared.

Where Does Giardia Come From And How Is It Spread?

Giardia is found in man and some animals.

Person to person spread occurs by hand to mouth transfer of the parasite from the stools of infected individuals especially in institutions, nurseries and day care centres. As many people may not be aware that they have giardia as they have no symptoms, lack of handwashing after visiting the toilet can lead to transmitting this illness.

Drinking water or eating food contaminated with the parasite can also cause infection, especially abroad. Illness can be spread for the entire period of infection.

How Can Spread Be Prevented?

Handwashing is essential after using the toilet, toileting children and changing nappies. Hands should also be thoroughly washed after handling animals and before handling food or eating. Young children will need to have their hands washed for them.

Untreated water should not be drunk, especially abroad. It is best boiled before consumption.

Routine cleaning and disinfecting of toys and environmental surfaces is essential in childcare centres.

Affected persons should not go to work, school, nursery or playschool until at least 48 hours after the first normal stool. Food handlers should also inform their employers of any illness involving diarrhoea and/or vomiting.