Parasites, an Adoption Series: Giardia
Giardia is an intestinal parasite that. like all others, uses the host for infection. Giardia also infects dogs, cats, and beavers as well as humans and this is how water gets contaminated and infects humans.
People usually become infected either hand to mouth from unwashed hands or by drinking contaminated food or water. Children that live in orphanages are more prone to getting parasites like this because of the close living situations, the diapers, the care giver situations, etc. Most often the children live in close quarters with poor hygiene and there is little infection control.
Symptoms of Giardia:
- Constant watery diarrhea with abdominal pain
- Foul smelling stools with gas and bloating
- Abdominal distention
- Not wanting to eat
- Nausea
- Failure to Thrive
How to Treat:
Three stool tests are needed to diagnose Giardia because of the way it sheds in the system.
The most common treatment is Metronidazole (Flagyl) but there are some strands of Giardia that are resistant. Furozone (furazolidone) and Tindamax (which can be prescribed by the CDC?) can also be used.
