"Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Giardia parasites are found in lakes, ponds, rivers and streams worldwide, as well as in municipal water supplies, wells, cisterns, swimming pools, water parks and spas. Several drugs are generally effective against giardia parasites, but not everyone responds to them. However, there are several symptoms of Giardia in dogs that dog … The main symptoms of giardiasis are: smelly diarrhoea; tummy pain or cramps; farting (flatulence) smelly burps – they may smell like eggs; bloating; weight loss; You can also have it and be able to spread it to others without having any symptoms. Compare available offers, get the BEST price and great service! Acute symptoms include 2, 4, 6: Diarrhea; Gas; Greasy stools that tend to float The best way to determine whether your dog has Giardia or another condition is to call your vet. Buy Malegra Dxt now with multi-dollar savings! Giardia infection is an intestinal infection marked by abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea and bouts of watery diarrhea. Ground and surface water can become contaminated from agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge or animal feces. For those who do get sick, signs and symptoms usually appear one to three weeks after exposure and may include:Signs and symptoms of giardia infection may last two to six weeks, but in some people they last longer or recur.Call your doctor if you have loose stools, abdominal bloating and nausea lasting more than a week, or if you become dehydrated. A tiny parasite called Giardia intestinalis causes the In some cases, people infected with Giardia have no symptoms 2-4. The most common complications include:No drug or vaccine can prevent giardia infection. © 1998-2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. The parasites are found in backcountry streams and lakes but also in municipal water supplies, swimming pools, whirlpool spas and wells. To help diagnose giardiasis, your doctor is likely to test a sample of your stool. Stool tests may also be used to monitor the effectiveness of any treatment you receive. Although anyone can pick up giardia parasites, some people are especially at risk:Giardia infection is almost never fatal in industrialized countries, but it can cause lingering symptoms and serious complications, especially in infants and children. The samples are then examined in a laboratory for the presence of parasites. Giardiasis is the most frequently diagnosed intestinal parasitic disease in the United States and among travelers with chronic diarrhea 1. Giardia infection can be transmitted through food and person-to-person contact.Giardia infections usually clear up within a few weeks. Before the microscopic parasites are passed in stool, they become encased within hard shells called cysts, which allows them to survive outside the intestines for months. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Prevention is your best defense.Some people with giardia infection never develop signs or symptoms but still carry the parasite and can spread it to others through their stool. © 1998-2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). The samples are then examined in a laboratory for the presence of parasites. The giardia parasite can also spread through anal sex.The giardia parasite is a very common intestinal parasite. For accuracy, you may be asked to submit several stool samples collected over a period of days. Stool tests may also be used to monitor the effectiveness of any treatment you receive.Children and adults who have giardia infection without symptoms usually don't need treatment unless they're likely to spread the parasites. If treatment is necessary, discuss the best available treatment option with your doctor.While you may initially bring your symptoms to the attention of your family doctor, he or she may refer you to a gastroenterologist — a doctor who specializes in disorders of the digestive system.Before your appointment, you may want to write a list of answers to the following questions:During the physical exam, your doctor may ask you to lie down so that he or she can gently press on various parts of your abdomen to check for tender areas. All rights reserved. Giardia infection is an intestinal infection marked by abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea and bouts of watery diarrhea. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. For accuracy, you may be asked to submit several stool samples collected over a period of days. So are child care workers and children in child care centers, where outbreaks are increasingly common.