Giardiasis

Giardiasis is an infectious illness which can be food or water borne. It is recognised initially by the symptoms. These can include watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain, wind, vomiting, fever, weight loss and constipation. These symptoms can last for up to several weeks.

It is caused by microscopic parasites entering the body through the mouth usually from unwashed hands and infected food or drink. Possible routes of the infection are:

eating food prepared by someone already suffering from Giardiasis
contact with streams, ponds and similar untreated watercourses, and
drinking unchlorinated water

It can be spread from person to person. If an infected person does not wash his or her hands properly after going to the toilet their hands may be contaminated with the parasite. They can then pass the infection on, either by direct contact with other people, or, indirectly, by preparing food that someone else then eats.

Precautionary measures

Thorough hand washing is vital:

after going to the toilet
before preparing or serving food or drink
after handling raw meat and vegetables, and
after handling pets or their food bowls

Use hot, soapy water and a nail brush
Avoid swallowing water when participating in water sports
Only drink mains or treated water and make sure that the water tank in your loft is covered to stop birds getting in
When on holiday abroad it may be safer to use bottled water
Always wash fruit and vegetables
Take care when changing the nappies of infected babies
Regularly disinfect toilets

Treatment

Antibiotics are sometimes used in the treatment of this infection. Your doctor will be decide if you or your family would benefit from such treatment.

In some cases it may be necessary to collect specimens of faeces for further analysis. An officer will contact you and decide whether this is necessary.

Where samples are felt necessary, special boxes and bottles will be left which may be collected or taken to the laboratory at Noble's Hospital as soon as the specimen has been provided.