Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Giardiasis

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Giardia; Traveler's diarrhea - giardiasis


Symptoms
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Gas or bloating
  • Headache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Low-grade fever
  • Nausea
  • Swollen or distended abdomen
  • Vomiting

The time between being infected and developing symptoms is 7 - 14 days. The acute phase lasts 2 - 4 weeks.


Signs and tests

Tests that may be done include:

  • Enteroscopy
  • Stool antigen test to check for Giardia
  • Stool ova and parasites exam
  • String test (rarely performed)

This disease may also affect the results of the following tests:

  • D-xylose absorption
  • Small bowel tissue biopsy
  • Smear of duodenal aspirated fluid


Review Date: 05/25/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)