Question 1

what's a giardia infection?

Accepted Answer

Intestinal infection: Giardia lamblia is a protozoan acquired usually by contaminated water that primarily causes diarrhea that can last for weeks or more. It can be treated with Metronidazole (flagyl).

Question 2

how can i treat giardia infection?

Accepted Answer

Meds: Effective medications are available.  1 dose of tinidazole, 5 days of Nitazoxanide ($$$), 5 days of Metronidazole (inexpensive, GI side effects not uncommon; no alcohol allowed at all); paromomycin 4x/day for 7 days if pregnant..  Stool check: giardia antigen (protein made by the parasite) before and after rx to make sure it is gone.  Stool look for parasite less accurate; anal swabs inaccurate.

Question 3

what are signs of a giardia infection?

Accepted Answer

Diarrhea,gas, pain: Giardia (an intestinal parasite) usually causes profound diarrhea, gas and pain. Giardia is usually contracted from drinking contaminated water in the wilderness but is also found in institutions (e.g. Daycares).

Question 4

what are the tests for giardia infection?

Accepted Answer

Stool studies: Stool ova and parasite (o&p) exam, and stool giardia antigen.

Question 5

what is the definition or description of: giardia infection?

Accepted Answer

Giardia infection: Giardiasis can present with rotten egg (sulfur) smelling burps, with diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, passing gas, nausea, vomiting, fever, constipation&amp;  loss of appetite.  Giardiasis is an infection of the small bowel by Giardia lamblia.

Question 6

when is the earliest that a giardia infection would be seen in a tourist who went on houseboat in kerala?

Accepted Answer

Giardia Lamblia:  Incubation period is 1 to 14 days ( with an average of 7 days). Giardiasis is a waterborne illness caused by Giardia parasite. Sx's – there may be no sx's or diarrhea, oily floating stool, gas, nausea, vomiting &amp; abdominal cramps. If untreated it can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration &amp; weight loss.  Diagnosis- via blood test for antibodies, stool antigen &amp; checking stool for ova &amp; parasites.

Question 7

do people with giardia infection have a lot of pain?

Accepted Answer

Giardiasis: People with giardia may have frequent belching, gas when eating, and abdominal cramping in addition to diarrhea but generally do not experience "a lot of pain". Your pcp can check for giardia with a stool sample sent to a lab. Treatment is an antiprotozoal or antibiotic. If you have giardia, you may want to have your water source checked for it & treated if + use treated water for handwashing, etc.

Question 8

when having burning in stomach, is it possible to have crohn's disease, colitis ulcerosa or an amoeba or giardia infection with a normal esr of 3?

Accepted Answer

Burning in Stomach: Your symptom is so nonspecific.  In order to diagnose an illness, physicians need many  information on your symptoms to guide us.  Once we have clinical suspicion about a possible disease, we have various diagnostic tests to confirm.  Please provide more information on your symptoms.

Question 9

what are the tests for giardia infections?

Accepted Answer

Stool studies: Stool ova and parasite (o&p) exam, and stool giardia antigen.

Question 10

any remedies for giardia infections i can try at home?

Accepted Answer

More info needed: How do you know you have giardia?. Any tests. Lots of diseases cause cramping and diarrhea.

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When is the earliest that a giardia infection would be seen in a tourist who went on houseboat in kerala?

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Do people with giardia infection have a lot of pain?

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When having burning in stomach, is it possible to have crohn's disease, colitis ulcerosa or an amoeba or giardia infection with a normal esr of 3?

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What are the tests for giardia infections?

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Any remedies for giardia infections i can try at home?

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