Health Care Provider Information on Giardiasis
on this page:Required Disease Reporting
Parasite Information
Clinical Features
Laboratory Diagnosis
Treatment
Required Disease Reporting
- Reporting
Giardiasis
Healthcare providers and clinical laboratories are required to report cases and suspect cases to the Minnesota Department of Health.
- Cases are subject to restriction
on daycare attendance and food handling.
Parasite Information
- Laboratory
Identification of Parasites of Public Health Concern: Giardiasis
CDC; Causal Agent, Life Cycle, Geographic Distribution. Attention: Non-MDH link
Clinical Features
- The spectrum varies from asymptomatic carriage to severe diarrhea and malabsorption.
- Acute giardiasis develops after an incubation period of 5 to 6 days and usually lasts 1 to 3 weeks.
- Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting.
- In chronic giardiasis the symptoms are recurrent and malabsorption and debilitation may occur.
- Giardiasis
Clinical Features
CDC.Attention: Non-MDH link
Laboratory Diagnosis
- Giardiasis
Laboratory Diagnosis
CDC; testing, safety, specimen processing, diagnostic findings. Attention: Non-MDH link
Treatment
- Several prescription drugs are available to treat giardiasis.
- Rapid loss of fluids because of diarrhea can be managed by fluid and electrolyte replacement.
- Infection in healthy, immunocompetent persons is self-limited.
- Nitazoxanide has been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration
for the treatment of children with Giardia infections
- New
Drug for Parasitic Infections in Children
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Attention: Non-MDH link
- New
Drug for Parasitic Infections in Children
- Immunocompromised persons and those in poor health are at highest risk for severe illness.
- In HIV infected patients, anti-retroviral therapy, which improves immune status, will also reduce oocyst excretion and decrease diarrhea associated with giardiasis.
- Giardiasis
Treatment
CDC.Attention: Non-MDH link
Do you suspect that you have a foodborne illness? Visit reporting suspected foodborne illnesses.
Spotlight
Chicks and Ducklings: Salmonella
Those cute little chicks and ducklings can be a great attraction for children this time of year, but they can also be a source of illness.
Protect others if you are experiencing diarrhea!
Anyone with a diarrheal illness should avoid swimming in public pools or lakes, sharing baths with others, and preparing food for others.
Young children (children in diapers) that are experiencing diarrhea should not be allowed to go swimming or attend daycare.
If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 (TTY: 651-201-5797) for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.
