Re: giardia

Posted By Tracy on June 24, 1998 at 18:47:30:

In Reply to: giardia posted by peter on June 24, 1998 at 17:22:47:






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
What Is Giardiasis?
Giardiasis is a gastrointestinal infection caused by a microscopic parasite called Giardia lamblia. This is a common parasite causing gastrointestinal illness in the United States. Giardiasis can be a problem in areas where sanitation is poor, in settings in which there may be problems with personal hygiene, such as institutions or day-care centers, or when unfiltered water supplies are contaminated with the organism.
How Is Giardiasis Spread?
A Giardia infection can be acquired when you ingest food or water which has been contaminated with the parasite. The parasite multiplies in the small intestine and is passed out with a bowel movement. Any food or drink which has become contaminated with infected stool can transmit the parasite. The infection can also be spread person-to-person when hands, which are contaminated with an infected person's stool, are brought in contact with the mouth. Swallowing as few as ten parasites can cause the infection. Person-to-person transmission is the main way that giardiasis is spread, such as in day-care centers and institutions, where personal hygiene may be poor due to age (infancy, elderly) or disability. Giardiasis can also be spread in this manner in a household setting.

Do All People Who Are Infected With Giardia Get Sick?
No. Some people who are infected with the parasite may only have minor symptoms and some people may not have any symptoms at all. However, these people can still pass Giardia parasites in their stool and become a source of infection for others.

What Is the Treatment for Giardiasis?
There are several medications which are effective in treating the infection. They are only available by prescription from your physician. Other treatments for diarrhea, such as increased fluid intake, may also be recommended by your physician.
How Can Giardiasis Be Prevented?
Giardiasis can be prevented by practicing good hygiene and using caution before drinking water from an unknown source.
Some general guidelines are:
Always thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water before meals, before preparing food, after having a bowel movement, after changing diapers, and after playing with your pets.
Do not drink untreated water from a surface water supply such as a pond, lake, or stream. Although the water may appear to be clean, it may contain Giardia parasites which cannot be seen without a microscope. If only untreated water is available, boil the water before drinking it.
If you are taking care of a person with giardiasis, use extra precautions after contact with the person's stool (for example, after changing diapers) Promptly and carefully dispose of any material which has been contaminated with stool and always wash your hands after such contact.
If your source of drinking water is from a well or another surface water supply, do not allow humans or animals to defecate (have bowel movements) near the water. In addition, appropriate water filtration systems can be effective in removing Giardia parasites from contaminated water.
Are There Any Health Regulations for People With Giardiasis?
Yes. To protect the public, all employees of food-related businesses (restaurants, food storers, food processing plants) who have giardiasis are required by law to be absent from work until they have two consecutive negative stools taken at least 48 hours apart. This law also applies to food handlers who are household contacts of a person with giardiasis.