What is the Meaning & Definition of Giardiasis

Giardiasis is an infectious disease that affects the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum, it is caused by a parasite known as Giardia lamblia, tends to be more common in children, especially between the first and the four years, however it can occur at any age the re-infection is common. The way of transmission of this parasite is through the consumption of contaminated food or water. It is also possible to acquire it in contact with pets such as dogs and cats and cattle.

Manifestations of Giardiasis

The giardia have the ability to colonize the intestine and affect the intestinal villi which interferes with the process of absorption of nutrients, which normally takes place at that level, this increases the intestinal contents oncotic pressure leading to have episodes of doughy diarrhea with foul smelling flatulence when it persists for several weeks can lead to the development of a disorders known as intestinal malabsorption.
Other problems may also occur as abdominal pain located preferably in the upper part of the abdomen known commonly as the mouth of the stomach, bloating, gas, pain in the joints, skin, even hives allergy. When the diarrhea is persistent are associated with weight loss, anemia and malnutrition.

Although there are no symptoms should treat it

In adults, it is possible that occurs the infection without that have symptoms, it's people who act as asymptomatic carriers, these constitute a source of contamination for your environment, especially if they work by manipulating food, hospitals or agencies related to child care. For this reason recommended to these workers practised routine stool tests at least once a year to treat the cases in which the infection exists even if it is not accompanied by symptoms.

How to identify it

The symptoms of this infection are usually quite characteristic and identifying it with the clinical manifestations. Diagnosis is confirmed to make an examination of Lee put in evidence to this parasite, sometimes it is necessary to have more than one test to identify it by requesting a study known as serial examination of stool which corresponds to analyze a sample of feces daily in a period ranging from 3 to 5 days.
It is also possible to identify antigens in feces parasites when stool examinations are negative, but there is a high suspicion of this infection.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.