How to Prevent Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a parasitic infection caused by Giardia lamblia. This protozoan is common throughout the world and is one of the earliest sources of infection in children. Giardiasis is transmitted to humans through a fecal-oral route or by contaminated water, and it causes a diarrheal illness. It has a low infective dose and more than 25 cysts are certain to cause infection.

Instructions

• 1

  Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before cooking, drinking or eating. This is the single most effective way to prevent giardiasis from spreading. Avoid tap water during a community-wide outbreak. Dispose of sewage so that surface or groundwater is not contaminated.

• 2

  Drink only treated water while hiking or traveling. Even ice should be treated before freezing. Boil water for one minute, or filter or purify it with a halogenating compound such as chlorine. Avoid raw or unpeeled fruit and even locally grown vegetables if you suspect they have been washed in contaminated water.

• 3

  Practice strict personal hygiene when changing diapers, especially in a daycare center. Hands should still be washed even if gloves are worn. Keep children with diarrhea home from daycare.

• 4

  Stay out of swimming pools if you already have giardiasis. Giardia is passed in the stool for several weeks after the symptoms abate and Giardia has a high tolerance for chlorine. Avoid swallowing water while swimming, especially in open water.

• 5

  Prevent the sexual transmission of giardiasis by avoiding oral-anal and oral-genital contact.