Giardiasis

What is giardiasis?

Giardiasis is an infection of the upper small intestine caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia.

How does it occur?

A child may become infected:

• when he or she eats food or drinks water that has been contaminated by human or animal waste that contains Giardia lamblia
• through person-to-person contact with household members who have the infection
• if he or she stays in a day care center with children who are not toilet-trained.

What are the symptoms?

Often giardiasis does not have symptoms. Symptoms may not start until 1 to 2 weeks after your child is exposed to the parasite. Symptoms may include:

• mild to severe diarrhea
• bowel movements that are bulky, greasy, frothy, and foul smelling
• cramps in the upper abdomen
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting.

How is it diagnosed?

Your child's healthcare provider will review your child's symptoms, examine him, and order a lab test of a sample of bowel movement.

How is it treated?

Your child's healthcare provider will prescribe an antibiotic medicine. Your child should take all of the medicine as prescribed. If your child stops taking the medicine when the symptoms are gone but before the parasite is gone from the body, the infection may return. If your child has side effects from the medicine, contact your healthcare provider.

Your child may not need an antibiotic if he or she is not having symptoms. However, antibiotic treatment may be necessary to prevent spread to others, especially if there is an outbreak, for example, in a day care center.

How long will it last?

Symptoms of giardiasis may last for 2 to 6 weeks.

How can I take care of my child?

For diarrhea, let your child's bowel rest by giving him only clear liquids such as oral rehydrating or electrolyte solutions, water, juice, tea, and bouillon. It is important that your child drink fluids often so that he does not become dehydrated. Your child may suck on Popsicles if he or she is too nauseated to drink fluids.

It is OK for the child to keep eating as long as it does not seem to worsen the diarrhea or stomach cramps. Foods that are easiest to digest are soft foods, such as bananas, cooked cereal, rice, plain noodles, gelatin, eggs, toast or bread with jelly, and applesauce. Your child can return to a normal diet after 2 or 3 days, but should avoid milk products and caffeine for a few days. For several days it is best to avoid fresh fruit (other than bananas), greasy or fatty foods such as cheeseburgers or bacon, highly seasoned or spicy foods, and most fresh vegetables. Cooked carrots, potatoes, and squash are fine. If eating seems to worsen the diarrhea, go back to clear liquids for a few hours.

If your child has cramps or stomach pain, it may help to put a hot water bottle or electric heating pad on his or her stomach. Cover the hot water bottle with a towel or set the heating pad at low to prevent burns.

Be cautious about taking nonprescription antidiarrheal medicines such as loperamide (Kaopectate or Imodium) or the prescription medicine Lomotil. These medicines can actually make the illness more severe, especially if the diarrhea is bloody.

If your child keeps having symptoms, gets worse, or gets new symptoms, tell your child's healthcare provider.

What can be done to prevent giardiasis?

• Wash hands with soap and very warm water after going to the bathroom and before eating or handling food.
• Wash your hands often, especially after you change diapers or help children use the toilet.
• Avoid unclean water supplies.
• Avoid food and water that may be contaminated.
• Don't let children swim in public places while they have diarrhea.
• Wash towels and diapers separately from other laundry.
• Tell others who may have been exposed to the parasite (such as household members, and day care contacts). They should be tested for the parasites.
• Avoid foods that can't be cooked or peeled, and protect food from exposure to bowel movements, flies, and contaminated water.
• When camping, drink water only after it has been purified with boiling, proper filtration, or disinfectant tablets.

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Published by RelayHealth.
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