Giardia Infection (Giardiasis)

Giardiasis (GEE-are-DYE-uh-sis) is a diarrheal illness caused by a microscopic parasite. Once a person or animal has been infected with Giardia, the parasite lives in the intestine and is passed in feces (stool). Because the parasite is protected by an outer shell, it can survive outside the body and in the environment for long periods of time.

Giardia is a one-celled parasite that can cause a gastrointestinal illness caused by giardiasis.

Prevention

There is no vaccine to protect against giardiasis. However, giardia infection can be treated by several prescription medications. Contact your healthcare provider.

Hand Washing

Transmission can often be prevented by regular and thorough hand washing.

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Before, during, and after preparing food.
  • Before eating food.
  • After using the toilet and before handling or eating food, especially if ill with diarrhea.
  • After changing a diaper or assisting with toileting, even if you are wearing gloves.
  • After touching something that could be contaminated such as a trash can, cleaning cloth, drain, or soil.
  • After handling animals or their toys, leashes, feces, and living areas.
  • Assist or visually supervise young children and others who may need help with hand washing as needed.

Contaminated Drinking Water

• Avoid drinking water that might be contaminated.
• Do not drink untreated water from shallow wells, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams.
• Do not swallow recreational water. For more information on recreational water-related illness, visit the CDC’s Healthy Swimming website.
• CDC’s Healthy Swimming website
• Do not drink untreated water or use ice made from untreated water during community-wide outbreaks of disease caused by contaminated drinking water.
• Do not drink untreated water or use ice made from untreated drinking water in countries where the water supply might be unsafe.

Contaminated Food

• Avoid eating food that may be contaminated.
• Use safe, uncontaminated water to wash all food that is to be eaten raw.
• After washing fruits and vegetables, peel them if you plan to eat them raw.
• Avoid eating raw or uncooked foods when traveling in countries with poor food and water treatment.

Practice Safe Swimming

• Protect others by not swimming if you are ill with diarrhea and for one week after your diarrhea stops. It is especially important that children in diapers do not swim for one week after they have had diarrhea.
• Shower with soap and water before entering recreational water. Thoroughly wash a child’s bottom with soap and water after they use the toilet or have a diaper change and before they enter the water.
• Keep Giardia and other germs out of pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, the ocean, etc. by taking the following steps:
  • Take children to the bathroom frequently or check their diapers often.
  • Change diapers in the bathroom or a diaper-changing area, not by the water.