Giardiasis Treatment
and Prevention
The scanning electron micrograph (SEM) above (courtesy of CDC) revealed
some of the external ultrastructural details displayed by a flagellated Giardia
lamblia protozoan parasite. G. lamblia is the organism responsible for causing
the diarrheal disease "giardiasis".

Some people suffered from giardiasis do not have any symptoms. However,
when the parasite does cause symptoms, the symptoms include severe watery
diarrhea, without blood or mucus. And, the stool floats, and smells very bad. It
contains unabsorbed fats. Other symptoms include abdominal cramps (gas), loss
of appetite nausea and vomiting or even a low-grade fever. Symptoms of chronic
giardiasis include: periods of intestinal gas abdominal pain in the area above the
navel and poorly formed, "mushy" bowel movements.

Prevention

Drink only from water supplies that have been approved by local health
authorities. Wash hands after every trip to the bathroom and especially before
eating.

Treatment

Protozoan cyst removal throughout all stages of the conventional treatment is
largely influenced by the effectiveness of coagulation pretreatment, which along
with clarification constitutes the first treatment barrier against protozoan
breakthrough. Physical removal of waterborne Giardia cysts can be achieved by
properly functioning conventional filters, providing that effective pretreatment of
the water is applied. Disinfection by chemical or physical methods is also
required to inactivate/remove the infectious life stages of these organisms. [1]

The current treatment modalities for protozoal diarrhoea include
5-nitrosoimidazoles, iodoquinol, diloxanide furoate, paromomycin, chloroquine,
and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole. [2]

References

[1] Betancourt WQ et al Drinking water treatment processes for removal of
Cryptosporidium and Giardia.Vet Parasitol. 2004 Dec 9;126(1-2):219-34.[2]
Gupta YK Current drug therapy of protozoal diarrhoea.Indian J Pediatr. 2004
Jan;71(1):55-8.
Giardiasis

Giardia lamblia is the one of
the most commonly detected
parasites in the intestinal
tract of humans.The parasite
attaches itself to the lining of
the small intestines in
humans, where it sabotages
the body's absorption of fats
and carbohydrates from
digested foods.
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