Giardiasis

Giardiasis – General Information

Giardiasis, which is also known as beaver fever, is a medical condition which is produced by the flagellate protozoan called Giardia lamblia (which is also known as Giardia intestinalis or Giardia duodenalis). The flagellate protozoan is found in the digestive tract of a variety of domestic and also wild animals (such as beavers, dogs, cattle, horses and cats), but also in humans. This organism is the cause of many cases of gastroenteritis. Giardiasis is usually passed through the fecal-oral route. A primary route is the direct contact with the infected animals and also with the contaminated water or food. Usually, the people who work daily with animals are at a risk of developing Giardiasis, but also those who are adepts of hiking and backpacking. Researchers strongly believe that the flagellate protozoan is zoonotic (meaning that it is communicable between the animals and the humans). This medical condition is also the major cause of the cases of childhood diarrhea. This medical condition can be transmitted to humans in different ways, as we said before through washed fruits and vegetables with contaminated water, swallowing contaminated water (from pools, rivers or lakes, while swimming) and also through interpersonal contact. The infection can appear as a result of a poor hygiene and usually appears in active homosexuals, but it may also appear in daycare centers. Although this medical condition may affect anyone it is more encountered in people who travel to underdeveloped countries, adults who are looking after infected children, and persons who are adepts of the anal or oral sex.

Giardiasis – Symptoms

It is well known the fact that any medical disorder (including Giardiasis) can trigger a variety of symptoms. Therefore, some of this medical condition's most uncommon symptoms have not been listed (mentioned) here. This is why we strongly recommend you to contact your personal health care provider whenever you develop any unusual, bothersome or unpleasant symptoms. Your personal physician will be able to tell you if you are suffering from Giardiasis or from any other medical disorder. Here is a list of the most common symptoms that a person who suffers from Giardiasis, may experience, although every person experience them in a different way ( and there are also people who have the parasite in the intestines and are asymptomatic): watery diarrhea, foul smelling and greasy feces which appear as a result of the protozoan interference in the fat absorption, flatulence, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, indigestion, fever (which is unusual, but it may appear), lethargy and nausea. These symptoms usually appear in the first two weeks after the infection occurs and usually last for several weeks and may be mistaken for another medical condition. In the cases in which they are not treated, they can least for six weeks or more and lead to an undesired loss of weight and also to dehydration. The symptoms develop as a result of the coating of the protozoan which blocks the absorption of the nutriments.  The diarrhea is not invariable as it appears in 90% of the cases. The severity of the symptoms usually varies from mild to individuals who are asymptomatic. The children who have chronic infections may not thrive.

Giardiasis – Treatment

The treatment which doctors recommend to the patients who are suffering from Giardiasis is usually based on drugs taken orally, such as Metronidazole (this drug is a Nitroimidazole anti-infective medicine which is used to treat the infections which are caused by bacteria and protozoa), or Albendazole (this is a drug from the Benzimidazole category which is used to treat the worm infestations). In children who are suffering from this medical condition Nitazoxanide can be used. The treatment is not necessary in all of the cases, because there are cases in which the organism can fight the infection by itself. Another way of treating is with a drug called Tinidazole in only one dose of 2000 mg, in order to avoid the long treatment methods. Doctors may also recommend a supplement named barberry (also known as Berberis Vulgaris) as it may help in treating Giardiasis.

All these drugs are antibiotics and are used because it has been shown that the antibiotics shorten the course of this medical condition and also help in reducing the risk of passing it to the other people. It is well known that alcohol is not recommended while taking these drugs. The doctors usually recommend the patient to treat his family too, because this infection can spread easily. Patients usually need to continue taking the drugs even after the symptoms have passed and after finishing the treatment, the patients must go to the doctor for a stool check in order to be sure that the treatment has worked. The children who have Giardiasis are recommended to be kept at home for at least 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea and also adults should stay at home after such an episode.

This medical condition usually leads to dehydration, this is why it is very important to drink plenty of water or sugar-free liquids (the recommended quantity of water is about 8 to 15 glasses of water per day). There are some other medications which are most often recommended by the health care providers and doctors in treating Giardiasis; we intend to present you some of them below.

Metronidazole – the treatment with this medicine is effective if the pills are taken three times a day during five days. This drug may also have side effects such as vomiting, headaches, dry mouth and the patient’s urine may be colored reddish-brown.

Quinacrine – the treatment is effective if the pills are taken more than five days. The most common side effects that can be caused by this drug include nausea, vomiting, yellow skin, yellow eyes, rash and dark urine.

Furazolidone – it is most commonly used in children because it is available in a liquid form. The side effects caused by this drug include loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

Nitazoxanide – it is also used in children who are suffering from Giardiasis and its side effects include stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting.

Paromomycin – it is used in the cases of pregnant women who can not postpone the treatment until after birth, but it is less effective.