Giardia in Humans

• Giardiasis

Giardiasis is an intestinal illness that causes diarrhea. This eMedTV article offers an in-depth look at the condition, including symptoms, common transmission methods, and treatment options. Links to additional information are also provided.

• Giardia

Giardia infections, caused by a one-celled, microscopic parasite, are a common cause of diarrhea in humans. This eMedTV segment discusses this topic in detail, with information on symptoms, treatment, and how to prevent an infection.

• Giardia Parasite

Giardia, found in the feces of infected humans or animals, causes a diarrheal illness known as giardiasis. This eMedTV Web page describes where the Giardia parasite lives and explains how the parasite is transmitted.

• Giardia Risk Factors

This eMedTV Web page discusses various Giardia risk factors that can increase a person's chances of becoming infected. These factors include working with or around children, traveling in the developing world, and drinking from shallow wells.

• Giardia Transmission

Giardia transmission, as this eMedTV article explains, occurs when a person accidentally swallows something (such as recreational water or uncooked food) infected with the Giardia lamblia parasite. Other transmission methods are also discussed.

• Giardia Symptoms

Common Giardia symptoms can include vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, and stomach pain. This eMedTV resource describes these and other signs and symptoms of Giardia in detail. It also discusses when symptoms do not go away or keep coming back.

• Testing for Giardia

Testing for Giardia often involves examining stool samples to check for the Giardia lamblia parasite. This eMedTV resource describes the process doctors use to confirm an infection, including a stool sample test.

• Giardia Treatment

This eMedTV article explains common methods of Giardia treatment that doctors usually prescribe. For example, treatment typically involves drugs, drinking plenty of fluids, and possibly treating those in close contact with the infected person.

• Giardia Medication

Examples of Giardia medication a doctor may prescribe include tinidazole, metronidazole, and quinacrine. This eMedTV Web page explains how doctors use these and other medications to treat Giardia infections.

• Cures for Giardia

Cures for Giardia often consist of medications that treat the infection. As this eMedTV page explains, in addition to prescribed drugs, drinking plenty of fluids generally is successfully in treating cases of giardiasis.

• Prevent Giardia

Possible ways to prevent Giardia infection discussed in this eMedTV article include practicing good hygiene techniques, avoiding potentially contaminated food and water, and avoiding exposure to feces during sexual activity.

• Giardia in Drinking Water

This eMedTV article describes how Giardia in drinking water can occur due to events such as sewage overflows, polluted storm water runoff, and agricultural runoff. This article also provides advice on removing the parasite from drinking water.

• Giardia Pictures

The Giardia pictures contained in this page from the eMedTV library present a series of detailed images of the microscopic parasite obtained through scanning electron micrography, photography, and photomicrography.

• Giardia Life Cycle

This eMedTV segment offers a description of the Giardia life cycle and explains how the parasite is often transmitted. The life cycle begins when a person accidentally ingests the parasite, which is commonly found in contaminated food or water.