You can get giardiasis if you swallow Giardia germs. Giardia spreads easily and can spread from person to person or through contaminated water, food, surfaces, or objects. The most common way people get sick is by swallowing contaminated drinking water or recreational water (for example, lakes, rivers, or pools).
What causes giardiasis in humans?
Giardiasis is a diarrheal disease caused by the microscopic parasite Giardia duodenalis (or “Giardia” for short). Once a person or animal has been infected with Giardia, the parasite lives in the intestines and is passed in stool (poop). Once outside the body, Giardia can sometimes survive for weeks or even months.
What are signs of Giardia in humans?
SymptomsWatery, sometimes foul-smelling diarrhea that may alternate with soft, greasy stools.Fatigue.Stomach cramps and bloating.Gas.Nausea.Weight loss.
How likely are you to get Giardia?
Giardia infection tends to be more common in children than adults. Depending on the geographical area, studies have found from 1-68% of children to be infected. In many developing countries, most children under five years of age have been infected at least once.
Is Giardia in humans contagious?
Is Giardiasis Contagious? Giardiasis is very contagious, and can spread easily among families. In childcare centers or any facility caring for a group of people, or people who are traveling, giardiasis can easily pass from person to person.
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