Giardia trophozoites stained with trichrome. Credit: Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, CDC
Giardiasis is the most frequently diagnosed intestinal parasitic disease in the United States and among travelers with chronic diarrhea[1]. Signs and symptoms may vary and can last for 1 to 2 weeks or longer[2,5]. In some cases, people infected with Giardia have no symptoms[2-4].
Acute symptoms include[2,4,6]:
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Greasy stools that tend to float
- Stomach or abdominal cramps
- Upset stomach or nausea/vomiting
- Dehydration (loss of fluids)
Other, less common symptoms include itchy skin, hives, and swelling of the eye and joints[2,7,8]. Sometimes, the symptoms of giardiasis might seem to resolve, only to come back again after several days or weeks. Giardiasis can cause weight loss and failure to absorb fat, lactose, vitamin A and vitamin B12[2,4,9-12].
In children, severe giardiasis might delay physical and mental growth, slow development, and cause malnutrition[2,11,13-17].
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