Giardia
Lamblia and Giardiasis: Protect Yourself from This Common
American Waterborne Parasite
Giardiasis
is an illness of the digestive tract. Its main symptom is
diarrhea. Giardiasis is caused by a microscopic, one-celled
parasite known by two names: Giardia lamblia and Giardia
intestinalis. The Giardia parasite attaches itself to the
lining of the small intestine, where it blocks the body’s
absorption of fats and carbohydrates from food.
One
troubling characteristic of the Giardia parasite is that
it’s protected by an outer shell, so when the parasite
is passed through the stool, it is able to live outside
the body for a long period of time until it’s able
to infect other people. As a leading cause of diarrhea in
the United States, Giardia can survive in chlorinated water,
and it can live for up to two months in cold water.
Giardia
is one of the most common waterborne parasites in the United
States. Giardia has been blamed for illnesses from both
recreational and drinking water. Giardia exists within every
region of the United States and it is also found worldwide.
Giardiasis
is quite contagious. Just one infected human or animal can
release millions of Giardia parasites into the environment
through fecal matter. As few as 10 microscopic Giardia parasites
in a glass of water can cause a severe case of Giardiasis
in the human being who drinks it. The parasites are often
found alive in soil, food, water, and contaminated surfaces.
While you can be infected by Giardia by swallowing the parasite,
Giardia is not spread through blood contact. Here are some
common ways the Giardia parasite is transmitted:
-
Swallowing contaminated water while swimming in pools,
fountains, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, springs,
and water parks
-
Eating uncooked food that has been contaminated with Giardia
(i.e. through unsanitary food preparation)
-
Accidentally picking up Giardia from contaminated surfaces
like diapers, bathroom fixtures, or toys
The
symptoms of giardiasis usually appear about 1 to 2 weeks
after infection by the Giardia parasite. The symptoms of
giardiasis include:
- Diarrhea
-
Intestinal gas
-
Stomach cramps
-
Abdominal pain above the navel
-
Greasy stools
-
Upset stomach
-
Nausea
-
Dehydration and weight loss
Since
the Giardia parasite is located all over the world and throughout
the United States, anyone can come down with giardiasis.
People most likely to become ill with giardiasis include
child care workers, families of infected people, travelers,
and people who swim in recreational water sources. It’s
estimated that 1 to 20 percent of the U.S. population has
giardiasis.
Giardiasis
is easy to catch and yet difficult to diagnose. Anyone who
feels at risk for intestinal parasites should practice good
personal hygiene and perform a natural
parasite cleanse regularly.
|
