Giardia

  I suspect my wife just picked up giardia.  we have an 18 month old child.  What should we do right away in terms of test and treatment and is the child in any danger of picking this up and how can we prevent this if there is some danger?  thank you

[HFHS.RN-AM]

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Tracy gave an incredible and accurate answer about giardiasis. Frequently young children dont exhibit any symptoms at all and parents pick up the disease from them and get very sick!  
You didnt give me any information about why you think your wife has giardiasis - I assume she was exposed and now has diarrhea, and possibly abdominal pain. Your wife needs to have a stool culture done to determine the cause before she takes any medication!
Take Tracy's advice about good hand washing, especially involving food handling. All members of the house and close caregivers should have a stool culture done. Only positive cultures will be treated - usually with Flagyl for 10 days.  
HFHS.RN-AM