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Giardiasis
Parasitic disease that results in diarrhea / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Giardiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia and G. intestinalis).[3] Infected individuals who experience symptoms (about 10% have no symptoms) may have diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and weight loss.[1] Less common symptoms include vomiting and blood in the stool.[1] Symptoms usually begin one to three weeks after exposure and, without treatment, may last two to six weeks or longer.[4]
Giardiasis | |
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Other names | Beaver fever, giardia |
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Giardia cell viewed with scanning electron microscope | |
Specialty | Infectious disease, gastroenterology |
Symptoms | Diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea[1] |
Usual onset | 1 to 3 weeks after exposure[2] |
Causes | Giardia duodenalis spread mainly through contaminated food or water[1] |
Risk factors | Hypogammaglobulinemia |
Diagnostic method | Stool testing[1] |
Differential diagnosis | Irritable bowel syndrome[1] |
Prevention | Improved sanitation[1] |
Treatment | Antiprotozoal medications |
Medication | Tinidazole, metronidazole[1] |
Frequency | Up to 7% (developed world), up to 30% (developing world)[1] |
Giardiasis usually spreads when Giardia duodenalis cysts within faeces contaminate food or water that is later consumed orally.[1] The disease can also spread between people and through other animals.[1] Cysts may survive for nearly three months in cold water.[1] Giardiasis is diagnosed via stool tests.[1]
Prevention may be improved through proper hygiene practices.[1] Asymptomatic cases often do not need treatment.[1] When symptoms are present, treatment is typically provided with either tinidazole or metronidazole.[1] Infection may cause a person to become lactose intolerant, so it is recommended to temporarily avoid lactose following an infection.[1] Resistance to treatment may occur in some patients.[1]
Giardiasis occurs worldwide.[5] It is one of the most common parasitic human diseases.[3] Infection rates are as high as 7% in the developed world and 30% in the developing world.[1] In 2013, there were approximately 280 million people worldwide with symptomatic cases of giardiasis.[3] The World Health Organization classifies giardiasis as a neglected disease.[1] It is popularly known as beaver fever[6] in North America.