Where is giardia usually found

Avoid eating uncooked local produce. Be cautious about sexual practices associated with the spread of this infection, such as anal sex. Use a condom to reduce the chance of contracting giardiasis.

Giardiasis infections usually last about six to eight weeks, but problems such as lactose intolerance can persist after the infection clears up. Yellow stool may be caused by changes in your diet. It may also be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Here are seven possible causes. Amebiasis is a parasitic infection, common in the tropics and caused by contaminated water. Symptoms can be severe and usually start weeks after….

Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites can all cause skin infections. Infections can range from mild to severe. Learn what to do if you have a skin….

When parasites grow, reproduce, or invade organ systems it results in a parasitic infection in the host. Learn how to recognize and treat a parasitic…. A string test, or "entero-test," is used to detect the presence of parasites in the upper part of the small intestine. Tropical sprue makes it difficult for your body to absorb certain nutrients.

Read about signs and treatment. There are many dangerous signs of infections, and you might not even realize you have been bitten or infested until some time later. A toxoplasmosis test toxoplasma test determines if the Toxoplasma gondii parasite has infected you.

Healthcare providers can prescribe the appropriate antiparasitic medications to help reduce the amount of time symptoms last.

Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have giardiasis. Your healthcare provider will ask you to submit stool poop samples to see if you are infected. Because it can be difficult to detect Giardia , you may be asked to submit several stool specimens collected over several days to see if you are infected. Many prescription drugs are available to treat giardiasis. Although Giardia can infect all people, infants and pregnant women may be more likely to experience dehydration from the diarrhea caused by giardiasis.

To prevent dehydration, infants and pregnant women should drink a lot of fluids while sick. Dehydration can be life-threatening for infants, so it is especially important that parents talk to their healthcare providers about treatment options for their infants. Your child may not need treatment if they have no symptoms, though it is important to consider that their poop may remain a source of infection for other household members for an uncertain period of time.

However, if your child does not have diarrhea but does have other symptoms, such as nausea or upset stomach, tiredness, weight loss, or a lack of hunger, you and your healthcare provider may need to consider treatment. The same is true if many family members are sick or if a family member is pregnant and unable to take the most effective medications to treat Giardia.

Contact your healthcare provider for specific treatment recommendations. Giardia -contaminated poop can enter ground water through different ways, including sewage overflows, sewage systems that are not working properly, and polluted storm water. Wells may be more likely to be contaminated by poop after flooding, particularly if the wells are shallow, have been dug or bored, or have been covered by floodwater for long periods of time.

Overused, leaky, or poorly maintained septic systems could contaminate nearby wells with germs from poop, including Giardia.

What is the treatment for giardiasis? What can be done to prevent the spread of giardiasis? Three important preventive measures are: Carefully wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after toilet visits and handling soiled diapers.

Carefully dispose of sewage wastes so as not to contaminate surface water or groundwater. Avoid consuming untreated water from springs, streams, or lakes. Should an infected person be excluded from work or school? Revised: September Your browser does not support iFrames. To receive updates about giardiasis and other waterborne diseases, enter your email address: Email Address.

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