Where is giardia most common

Eating foods contaminated with the parasite. Exposure to fecal material during sexual activity. What are the symptoms? Symptoms of giardiasis usually include: Diarrhea Greasy stools that can float Gas and bloating Stomach cramps Loss of appetite Weight loss Slight fever Some people have no symptoms. Symptoms generally begin 1 to 3 weeks after exposure.

How long does it last? What can I do to minimize my risk of getting it? You can reduce your risk of getting giardiasis by following these recommendations: Wash your hands often and with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and changing diapers, and before handing or eating any food. Do not swallow water while swimming. Do not drink untreated water from lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, and streams.

Use caution when traveling in countries with minimal water treatment and sanitation systems by avoiding tap water, fountain drinks, ice, and raw foods. Reduce fecal-oral exposure during sexual activity and avoid sexual activity with those who have diarrhea or who recently recovered from giardiasis.

What should I do if I have symptoms? People who have symptoms of giardiasis can reduce their risk of spreading their illness to others by following these recommendations: Wash your hands carefully and frequently with soap and water. Stay out of pools, splash pads, and lakes while sick.

Minus Related Pages. Read CDC's new report describing giardiasis outbreaks during Read the Report. General Information. Illness and Symptoms. Prevent Illness.

Diagnosis and Treatment. Diagnosis and Treatment Information for Medical Professionals. Signs and symptoms of giardia infection may last two to six weeks, but in some people they last longer or recur. Call your doctor if you have loose stools, stomach cramping and bloating, and nausea lasting more than a week, or if you become dehydrated.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you're at risk of giardia infection — that is, you have a child in child care, you've recently traveled to an area where the infection is common, or you've swallowed water from a lake or stream. Giardia parasites live in the intestines of people and animals. Before the microscopic parasites are passed in stool, they become encased within hard shells called cysts, which allows them to survive outside the intestines for months.

Once inside a host, the cysts dissolve and the parasites are released. Infection occurs when you accidentally swallow the parasite cysts. This can occur by swallowing unsafe water, by eating infected food or through person-to-person contact. The most common way to become infected with giardia is after swallowing unsafe contaminated water. Giardia parasites are found in lakes, ponds, rivers and streams worldwide, as well as in public water supplies, wells, cisterns, swimming pools, water parks and spas.

Ground and surface water can become infected with giardia from agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge or animal feces. Children in diapers and people with diarrhea may accidentally contaminate pools and spas.

Giardia parasites can be spread through food — either because food handlers with giardia infection don't wash their hands thoroughly or because raw produce is irrigated or washed with unsafe contaminated water. Because cooking food kills giardia, food is a less common source of infection than water is, especially in industrialized countries. You can get infected with giardia if your hands become dirty with feces — parents changing a child's diapers are especially at risk.

So are child care workers and children in child care centers, where outbreaks are increasingly common. The giardia parasite can also spread through anal sex. The giardia parasite is a very common intestinal parasite. Although anyone can pick up giardia parasites, some people are especially at risk:.