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Giardia is a parasite that infects the intestines of humans and animals. When a person gets sick, the infection is called giardiasis, or 'beaver fever'. Giardiasis is usually a water-borne disease. Giardia is a common cause of diarrhea in B.C. and the world.
Giardia cysts are very hardy organisms that survive for long periods in the environment, particularly in cold water. You can ingest Giardia by:
Giardia is spread when feces from infected people or animals gets into the mouth.
This can happen by:
A person who is infected may not know they are passing the infection on to others because they may have mild or few symptoms.
Giardiasis may cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, gas, bloating, frequent loose and pale greasy stools, nausea, weight loss, and fatigue.
Symptoms start about seven to 10 days after exposure to the parasite. Symptoms can last from three to 25 days or longer, and may last for months.
Often a person can be infected and have no symptoms. In some cases, symptoms can return after you have started to get better. Rarely, arthritis and poor absorption of fats and vitamins can occur after a Giardia infection.
If you think you have giardiasis, see your family doctor for testing, advice and treatment. You will be asked to submit a stool sample for testing. Giardia is difficult to detect so you may have to submit more than one sample.
Your doctor will decide if treatment with anti-parasitic medication is necessary. After your infection, you may have difficulty digesting milk and milk products. This causes symptoms similar to those of a Giardia infection and can last several weeks. Avoid milk and milk products for a few weeks and then slowly add them back into your diet.
Giardia is passed in the feces and therefore people with diarrhea who cannot control their bowel movements should not go to work or school.
If you have a Giardia infection do not swim in lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, swimming pools and hot tubs while you have diarrhea and until at least 48 hours after the diarrhea has stopped.
If you are a food handler or health care worker it is possible for you to spread Giardia to others. Do not work while you have diarrhea or vomiting and do not return to work until 48 hours after your last loose stool or episode of vomiting. Wash your hands well and often, which will help lessen the chance of spreading the infection to others.
Children in daycare who have diarrhea can be cared for in a supervised area away from other children until picked up by their parents. Children cannot return to daycare until 48 hours after their last loose stool or episode of vomiting. Children in daycares should be supervised by an adult when washing their hands.
If you recover without treatment, you may release Giardia in your stools for several months and possibly infect others. After using the toilet and before eating or preparing foods wash your hands well with liquid soap and water.
Giardia parasites are moderately resistant to chlorine bleach. If you have no other options, you can attempt to disinfect water with unscented household bleach. Add two drops of bleach per litre (nine drops of bleach per imperial gallon) of untreated water. The treated water should be stirred and allowed to stand for at least 30 minutes prior to use. Double the amount of bleach if the water is cloudy.
For more information contact your local Environmental Health Officer.
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