BEWARE OF PARASITES # 4 | GIARDIA LAMBLIA

Giardiasis is a cosmopolitan infection (found throughout the world) of the small intestine caused by a tiny parasite called Giardia lamblia. This parasite of giardia lives in soil, food and water. It can be found on surfaces that have been in contact with animal or human waste, that is why the importance of the good disposition of human feces, animals and value of hand washing.

CAUSES

-Being exposed to a family member with giardiasis increases the likelihood of infection.

-Take water from lakes or streams where both wild and domestic animals leave their waste.

-Eat raw or undercooked foods that have been contaminated with the parasite.

-Have anal sex without protection.

SYMPTOMS AND CLINICAL PICTURE

Usually, the symptoms begin between 7 to 14 days after having contracted the infection. The predominant symptom is diarrhea, you can also find headache, flatulence, abdominal distension, inappetence, low fever between 38-38.5 ° C, nausea, vomiting and even mild weight loss and body fluids.

There have been cases where individuals who have been carriers of G. lamblia for a long time have had symptoms even after the disappearance of the infection.

DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis is made with the visualization of the parasite and / or its eggs in the feces through microscopic tests. The gastrointestinal clinical picture orients, in areas where the low socioeconomic level especially in children to think about doing a stool test to verify the presence. There are also serological tests in faeces where substances that are indicative of the presence of the parasite are looked for.

TREATMENT

If there are no symptoms or they are mild, treatment may not be needed. There have been cases where infections disappear on their own after a few weeks.

Medicines can be used to:

-Serious symptoms or symptoms that do not go away.

-People who work in day care centers or nursing homes to reduce the spread of the disease.

-Antibiotic treatment is effective for most people. It is clear to remember that before self-medication, visit your doctor.

PREVENTION

-Total importance of purifying all the water before taking it. Use methods such as boiling, filtering or treatment with iodine.

-Workers in nurseries or greetings institutions should make good use of hygienic and hand washing techniques when passing from child to child or when treating one person and another.

-Sexual practices (such as anal sex) with caution can decrease the risk of contracting or spreading the parasite.

-Peel or wash vegetables and fresh fruits thoroughly before eating. Remember that this disease is totally avoidable and only depends on you.

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