Giardia Lamblia Can Affect Children & Pregnant Women Throughout North America

Giardia Lamblia infection usually occurs when someone has ingested food or water that has been contaminated with a dormant cyst. Found throughout North America Giardia Lamblia cysts can sustain themselves for weeks in stagnant water sources like wells or ponds. They have even been found to survive in city reservoirs where the water is frequently treated through chlorination. Parents also may want to ensure that their children are kept away from areas with exposed fecal matter because another way to ingest this parasite is through contact with fecal matter.

Once a person ingests a dormant Giardia Lamblia cyst, the parasite will emerge and begin to self-replicate itself and feed within a person’s gastro-intestinal tract. Treatment of an infection can often go undiagnosed, or missed altogether. Symptoms usually include diarrhea, excessive and foul smelling gas, bloating, steatorrhoea, nausea, vomit, and rapid weight loss. Usually, the only way your doctor can tell you if you have been infected with Giardia Lamblia is through frequent testing of your stool.

Doctors who accurately diagnose a Giardia Lamblia infection may prescribe a couple of drugs. In addition to those prescribed drugs and to combat the loss of fluids due to increased diarrhea, people who have been infected should also drink plenty of fluids to sustain adequate hydration levels. After about 7-10 days your doctor will want to retest your stool to ensure that the infection has been completely cleared up.

Contact your physician immediately should you suspect that you or someone you know may have come into contact with Giardia Lamblia.