General information, not a diagnosis Method and limitations

Fact sheetParasite

Giardiasis

Giardia is an intestinal parasite transmitted mainly by water and faecal contact. Clear water can contain its cysts.

Documentary Enrichment: · General information

Essentials

Intestinal infection transmitted by ingestion of cysts in water, food, hands or surfaces.

Agent
Giardia duodenalis
Transmission or exposure
Water and food · Close contact

Situation and vulnerability

Prolonged diarrhea can cause dehydration, weight loss and difficulty in absorbing nutrients.

Signs and limits of their interpretation

Diarrhoea, bloating, cramps and fat stools may occur. Some infections are asymptomatic.

Diagnosis and monitoring

Stool tests are looking for the parasite. Several samples may be requested because their presence in the stool varies.

Check these markers in the CDC reference →

Prevention and care

Use safe water and wash your hands. In the open air, water treatment must be adapted; clarity does not prove its safety.

Practical issues

Should diarrhea that lasts after a trip be reported?

Yes. Specify the destinations and water consumed. Several causes are possible; appropriate examinations allow for the choice of management.

Preparing for an exchange with a professional

  • Travel, hiking and water consumption
  • Duration of diarrhoea and changes in weight
  • Examinations and treatments already completed

Bring the full minutes and dates. This information facilitates evaluation; its collection must not delay an urgent appeal.

Individual decisionThe choice of a test, treatment or prevention depends on the local situation and recommendations. In case of distress, call 911.
Closed environmental sampling equipment in a tidy laboratory. AI-generated illustration.
Prevention illustration — Giardiase — Closed environmental sampling equipment in a tidy laboratory.
Image generated by artificial intelligence. AI illustration; it does not depict a disease, biological agent or diagnosis.

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Related fact sheets

These sheets share ways or contexts of exhibition in our catalogue. This reconciliation does not establish a differential diagnosis.

Compare Giardiase with associated plugs →

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Further reading

These publications help you verify the concepts discussed. Disease records and directory entries each identify their sources.

The content modification date does not mean that every source has undergone a new medical review. Verification method and scope.