Giardia infection is an intestinal infection that causes cramps in the abdomen, bloating, nausea, and episodes of watery diarrhea. It is brought on by a microscopic parasite that is present all over the world, but is most common in places with unsanitary conditions and tainted water.
The parasites are present in municipal water supplies, swimming pools, whirlpool spas, wells, and backcountry streams and lakes. Giardia infection (giardiasis) can be spread through food and person-to-person contact. Giardia infection is one of the most prevalent causes of waterborne disease in the United States.
Although there are several drugs that are generally effective against giardia parasites, not everyone responds to them, so prevention is always the best policy. Giardia infections typically go away within a few weeks, but there may still be intestinal problems.
Symptoms of Giardiasis
For those who do get sick, signs and symptoms typically appear one to three weeks after exposure and may include: For some people with giardia infection, signs and symptoms never appear, but they still carry the parasite and can spread it to others through their stool.
- Alternating between soft, greasy stools and watery, occasionally foul-smelling diarrhea
- Fatigue or malaise
- Abdominal cramps and bloating
- Gas or flatulence
- Nausea
- Weight loss
Giardia infection signs and symptoms typically last between two and six weeks, but they can sometimes last longer or come back.
Causes of Giardiasis
Giardia parasites are microscopic parasites that live in both human and animal intestines. Prior to being excreted in stool, the parasites are encased in hard shells called cysts, which allows them to survive outside the intestines for months.
Through person-to-person contact, eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, or swallowing the parasite cysts accidentally, infection occurs when this happens.
Swallowing contaminated water
Giardia parasites can be found in lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams all over the world, as well as in municipal water supplies, wells, cisterns, swimming pools, water parks, and spas. Surface and ground water can become contaminated from agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge, or animal feces. Children in diapers and people with diarrhea may unintentionally contaminate swimming pools and spas.
Eating contaminated food
Food is a less frequent source of infection than water, especially in industrialized nations, because cooking food kills giardia parasites. Giardia parasites can be transmitted through food — either because food handlers with giardiasis don’t thoroughly wash their hands or because raw produce is irrigated or washed with contaminated water.
Person-to-person contact
The giardia parasite can also be spread through anal sex, which puts parents changing a child’s diapers in particular at risk, as well as child care workers and the kids who attend those facilities, where outbreaks are becoming more frequent.
Homeopathic Medicine of Giardiasis
Nat Phos– Excellent for giardiasis with sour taste and frequent belching.
Carbo Veg-
Useful for people who have eructations that taste rancid, foul, or putrid. Especially helpful when eructations worsen after eating or drinking.
CHINA-Very useful for Prostration, useful for people who experience fainting spells, and useful where there is excessive weakness brought on by recurrent bouts of diarrhoea brought on by giardia infection.
NATRUM MUR-When there is emaciation and significant weight loss, it is very helpful for giardiasis.
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