GOODAFTERNOON 

REPORTER: AMBERJANE CABALTERA

GIARDIASIS

Is an infection in your small intestine. It’s caused by a protozoan, Giardia Lamblia.

The parasite lives in two stages: trophozoites and cysts.

Trophozoites are the active form of the parasite inside the body

Cysts represent the resting stage that enables the parasite

to survive outside the body.
 The parasite is most commonly transmitted through direct contact with
infected feces or by eating food or drinking water contaminated by feces.

 The disease is most prevalent in developing countries, where infections are

associated with poor sanitary conditions, poor water quality control, and
overcrowding

 Giardiasis affects three times as many children as adults. It particularly

affects diapered children and toddlers being toilet-trained.
:The symptoms of giardiasis include:

A sudden explosive, watery, foul-smelling diarrhea

Excessive gas

Abdominal pain

Bloating

Nausea

Tiredness

Loss of appetite.
Risk factors

 Children
 People without access to safe drinking water
 People who have anal sex

Diagnosis
Stool specimens are collected and examined over a period of at least 3 days.
Complications

 Dehydration
 Failure to thrive.
 Lactose intolerance
 Prevention

 Wash your hands

Keep your mouth closed
Purify wilderness water

Practice safer sex