infection⚑ High burden in India
Giardiasis
Giardiasis is a disease caused by the protist enteropathogen Giardia duodenalis, especially common in children and travelers. Infected individuals experience steatorrhea, a type of with fatty sticky ; pain, weight loss, and weakness due to and . Less common symptoms include skin rash, hives and joint swelling. Symptoms usually begin one to three weeks after exposure and, without treatment, may last two to six weeks or longer. Some infected individuals experience mild or no symptoms and remain symptom-free even if the persists for a long time.
Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.
Symptoms — what it feels like
- ·Diarrhoea, pain, weight loss,
Causes — why it happens
- ·Giardia duodenalis spread mainly through contaminated food or water
Prevention
- ·Improved sanitation
Treatment
- ·Antiprotozoal medications
Test yourself
0/4 answered4 quick questions on Giardiasis. Tap an answer to check it.
1. Giardiasis is caused by what kind of germ?
2. Which two groups is giardiasis especially common in?
3. How is Giardia mainly spread?
4. Which of these is a symptom of giardiasis?
More in Intestines
Irritable bowel syndromeInflammatory bowel diseaseColorectal cancerCoeliac diseaseTyphoid feverAppendicitisHaemorrhoidsIntestinal wormsAmoebiasisConstipationUlcerative colitisCrohn's disease
See all of Intestines →Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.