Giardiasis is a type of waterborne disease caused by a parasite called Giardia lamblia or Giardia intestinalis. The parasite generally attaches itself to the small intestinal lining of the humans and feeds on the carbohydrates and fats from the digested food. In the United States, giardiasis is one of the leading causes of diarrhea. Because of the outer shell covering of the bacteria, it can survive in normal chlorinated water and stay alive in cold water for more than two months.

Causes of Giardiasis
The bacteria can travel through three routes. These are:

• Water: Water is the chief cause of giardiasis. The parasites can be found in ponds, lakes, rivers and streams as well as in wells, swimming pools, spas and water parks. Since the bacteria can thrive inside the body of rodents and variety of birds, fishes and reptiles, water can become contaminated with their feces. Often surface and ground water can also be contaminated by discharge from wastewater and agricultural water. One can become infected by drinking such contaminated water.
• Food: Eating foods not washed or cooked properly. Eating raw food irrigated in contaminated water can also cause giardiasis. Since cooking kills the bacteria, food is the less severe cause of this disease compared to water.
• Direct Contact: One can become infected by eating foods with hands not washed thoroughly. Hands can become contaminated with fecal matters. The parasite can also spread through anal sex.

Signs and Symptoms of Giardiasis
Giardiasis symptoms can last for 5-7 days.

Listed below are some of the signs and symptoms of giardiasis:

• Watery and foul smelling (sometimes) diarrhea
• Abdominal cramping and flatulence
• Nausea
• Weight loss

How is Giardiasis Diagnosed?
To diagnose giardiasis correctly, your doctor may take several samples of your stools collected over few days. The samples are then examined for the presence of infection.

Treatments of Giardiasis
Giardia can affect anyone. Generally young children (below 5 years of age) and pregnant women are more prone to giardia infection. In case of children, rapid water fluid loss can be life threatening. Drinking lots of fluid can help. In case of severity of symptoms, doctor may prescribe antibiotic drugs such as tinidazole or metronidazole. Both these drugs may show side effects like vomiting, nausea and metallic taste.