Giardiasis
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Giardiasis is an intestinal infection characterized by abdominal fullness; abdominal cramps,bloating and watery diarrhea caused by the parasite, Giardia intestinalis (also know as Giardia lamblia or Giardia duodenalis). Giardia is found on soil, surfaces, food or in water. Giardiasis is a common problem in the world. It infects approximately 5% of people in developed and nearly 34% of people in developing country.
How Giardiasis is transmitted?
It is a common cause of waterborne disease. Infection is transmitted through swallowing contaminated water, taking contaminated food and person to person contact.
What are the risk factors of Giardiasis?
- Children
- Day care or nursing home exposure
- Travelers
- Close contact with person who has the Giardiasis
- Drinking untreated water from rivers or lakes
- Unprotected anal sex
What are the signs and symptoms of Giardiasis?
- Abdominal pain
- Watery diarrhea
- Abdominal fullness
- Gas
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea or vomit
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration (loss of fluid)
- Itchy skin, hives
- Swelling or the joint and eyes
- Failure to thrive
- Lactose intolerance
How is Giardiasis diagnosed?
Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation, laboratory examination and radiological examination.
Test includes:
- Multiple stool antigen test for Giardia
- Stool tests for ova and parasites exam
- Stool antigen test
- String test
- Enteroscopy
- Intestine tissue biopsy
- Duodenal aspirated fluid
How is Giardiasis Managed?
- Metronidazole for 5- 10 days (which eradicated 80% of Giardia parasite): It is the commonly drug used for giardia.
- Tinidazole (highly effective drug which eradicates more then 90% of parasite)
- Furazolidone for 7-10 days (Drug approved in the U.S)
- Other drugs like as paromomycin, quinacrine is alternatives drugs used to managed giardiasis.
- In pregnant women treatment should use after delivery because some drugs are harmful to the fetus.
How to prevent Giardiasis?
- Wash hands with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds before and after eating food, preparing food, using toilet and doing any work.
- Drinking treated water
- Avoid eating contaminated food
- Practices safer sex
What is the prognosis of Giardiasis?
Prognosis is excellent but some people have had parasite for a long time even after the treatment.
References:
- ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- wikipedia.org
- medicinenet.com
- cdc.gov
- mayoclinic.com
Filed Under: Medicine
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