| ID | 380 |
|---|---|
| Name | GIARDIASIS (Please see in the section of common clinical problems.) |
| Cause | Infection occurs when you accidentally swallow the parasite cysts. This can occur by swallowing unsafe water, by eating infected food or through person-to-person contact. Swallowing contaminated water Eating contaminated food Person-to-person contact The giardia parasite can also spread through anal sex. |
| Signs Symptoms | Symptoms Some people with giardia infection never develop signs or symptoms, but they still carry the parasite and can spread it to others through their stool. For those who do get sick, signs and symptoms usually appear one to three weeks after exposure and may include: Watery, sometimes foul-smelling diarrhea that may alternate with soft, greasy stools Fatigue Stomach cramps and bloating Gas Nausea Weight loss Signs and symptoms of giardia infection may last two to six weeks, but in some people they last longer or recur |
| Diagnosis | Microscopy with direct fluorescent antibody testing is considered the test of choice for diagnosis of giardiasis since it provides increased sensitivity over non-fluorescent microscopy techniques. Other alternate methods for detection include: Rapid immunochromatographic cartridge assays Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kits Microscopy with trichrome staining Molecular assays |
| Investigations | Microscopy with direct fluorescent antibody testing is considered the test of choice for diagnosis of giardiasis since it provides increased sensitivity over non-fluorescent microscopy techniques. Other alternate methods for detection include: Rapid immunochromatographic cartridge assays Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kits Microscopy with trichrome staining Molecular assays |
| Management | Antibiotic therapy. Metronidazole is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic for this condition |
| Introduction | |
| History | |
| Etiology | see under causes |
| Clinical Features | see under symptoms |
| Preventions | Wash hands. with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the toilet or changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food. When soap and water aren't available, you can use alcohol-based sanitizers. Purify wilderness water. Avoid drinking untreated water from shallow wells, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds and streams unless you filter it or boil it for at least 10 minutes at 158 F (70 C) first. Wash produce. Wash any raw fruits and vegetables with safe, uncontaminated water. Peel the fruit before eating it. Avoid eating raw fruits or vegetables if traveling in countries where they may have contact with unsafe water. Keep your mouth closed. Try not to swallow water when swimming in pools, lakes or streams. Use bottled water. When traveling to parts of the world where the water supply is likely to be unsafe, drink and brush your teeth with bottled water that open yourself. Don't use ice. |
| Treatment | See under Management |
| Complications | Dehydration. Failure to thrive. Chronic diarrhea from giardia infection can lead to malnutrition and harm children's physical and mental development. Lactose intolerance. Many people with giardia infection develop lactose intolerance — the inability to properly digest milk sugar. The problem may persist long after the infection has cleared. |
| Prognosis | |
| Types | |
| Classification | |
| Observation | |
| Pathology |
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