Preventing Giardiasis
Consumers can prevent giardiasis by:
- washing hands carefully
- avoiding swallowing recreational water
- using caution when traveling
- avoiding drinking untreated water
- being careful when dealing with animals
- avoiding fecal exposure
Minimizing Your Risk
- Wash hands after using the bathroom and changing diapers, and before
handling or eating any food.
- Make sure that persons with diarrhea, especially children, wash their
hands carefully and frequently with soap to reduce the risk of spreading
the infection.
- Wash raw fruits and vegetables before eating.
- Always wash hands after contact with farm animals, pets, animal feces,
and animal environments.
- Hand
Hygiene
Wash Your Hands!
Avoid swallowing recreational water
- Recreational water is water in swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis,
fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams that can be contaminated
with sewage or feces from humans or animals.
- Healthy Swimming
CDC; Contains information on recreational waterborne illnesses. Attention: Non-MDH link
- Avoid using ice or drinking water when traveling in countries where
the water supply might be unsafe.
- Avoid eating uncooked foods when traveling in countries with minimal
water treatment and sanitation systems.
Avoid drinking untreated water
- Untreated water can come from shallow wells, lakes, rivers, springs,
ponds, and streams.
If you are unable to avoid drinking water that might be contaminated, then treat the water yourself by:
- Heating the water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute.
OR
- Using a filter that has an absolute pore size of at least 1 micron
or one that has been NSF-rated for "cyst removal."
- Preventing
Cryptosporidiosis:
A Guide to Water Filters and Bottled Water
CDC. Attention: Non-MDH link- This information also applies to Giardia.
- This information also applies to Giardia.
- If the above methods cannot be used, then try chemical inactivation
of Giardia by chlorination or iodination. Chemical disinfection
may be less effective than other methods because it is highly dependent
on the temperature, pH, and cloudiness of the water.
Be careful when dealing with animals
- Always wash hands after contact with farm animals, pets, animal feces,
and animal environments.
- Especially during sexual intercourse
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.
