title: Giardiasis. A crimp in the life-style of campers, travelers, and others.
abstract: Once Giardia cysts leave the host, they die quickly if dehydrated but can survive for two months in water as cold as 8 degrees C (46 degrees F). Thus, giardiasis is transmitted through ingestion of infected feces or water. Infection most often causes diarrhea, but if a subacute or chronic form develops, additional signs and symptoms of intestinal distress may be present. Diagnosis is made by finding cysts in a stool sample and/or trophozoites in duodenal fluid. In rare cases, small-bowel biopsy may be necessary. Whether to treat asymptomatic giardiasis is debatable. Drug treatment spares the patient unpleasant symptoms that may develop and eliminates transmission, but available drugs can have side effects and none has been proven safe for pregnant women. By far, the best approach to giardiasis is prevention through education of travelers, nature lovers, and workers in day-care centers and institutions that house the incontinent.
authors: N R
authors: NR
authors: Holtan
mesh_terms: D002165:Camping; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011796:Quinacrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014195:Travel; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D008795:Metronidazole; D011796:Quinacrine