Giardia: A parasite with human face look-a-like.

12-04-2011

The parasite is named after the French scientist, Alfred Giard. The main human infective species is called Giardia lamblia.  Giardia includes many other giadia species that infect cats, dogs, rodents, bears and beavers.  The organism is found in soil and water contaminated with fecal matter.  It grows in animal intestines and survives outside the body as a resistant cyst. Nature travelers going in the wild often get giardiasis or Beaver Fever from contaminated water, food, fresh vegetables and soil.

The parasite can survive in the intestine for weeks, months or years. A person with improper hygienic practices can transmit the infection to many others. About two percent of infected population can remain symptomless. The diaper changing areas, door handles, toilet seats, faucet handles, exercise machines in a gym and other contaminated surfaces can help transmit the infection. Food handlers have often been implicated in spread of infection in institutions such as restaurants, dormitories and other eating places. The chances of getting infected increase while traveling to underdeveloped areas. Proper hand washing, sanitizing raw fresh fruits/vegetables and contaminated surfaces and avoiding drinking contaminated water are the best ways to prevent the infection.
 

The illness starts within a week of ingesting contaminated water, food or contacts with infected individuals. The illness can last for months or years and infected individual can transmit the parasite to many contacts. The symptoms of giardiasis include diarrhea, abdominal pain, belching, cramping, bloating, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and foul smelling greasy stools. The FDA approved drugs for treatment for giardiasis are Tinidazole and nitazoxanide. Before embarking on a travel to areas inaccessible to medical help, it might be wise to carry some preventive measures such as hand soap/sanitizer, sanitizer for fresh fruit/vegetables, and medicines after consulting with a physician.