Giardia is a microscopic parasite that causes thediarrheal illness known as giardiasis. Giardia (alsoknown as Giardia intestinalis, Giardia lamblia,or Giardia duodenalis) is found on surfaces or in soil,food, or water that has been contaminated with feces (poop) frominfected humans or animals.
Giardia is protected by an outer shell that allows itto survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes ittolerant to chlorine disinfection. While the parasite can bespread in different ways, water (drinking water and recreationalwater) is the most common method of transmission.
Giardia intestinalis (aka: G.duodenalis, G.lamblia)is a common, microscopic (intestinal) parasite that commonlyaffects humans, dogs, and cats.
Common signs and symptoms of Giardia infection (inboth humans and pets) are diarrhea, gas, abdominal discomfort,nausea, and vomiting. However, it is possible to be infected andhave no signs or symptoms of illness.
Anything that comes into contact with feces (poop) frominfected humans or animals can become contaminated with the Giardiaparasite. People and animals become infected when they swallowthe parasite. It is not possible to become infected throughcontact with blood.
How does my dog or cat get infected with Giardia?
Your dog or cat might get infected by:
Being in contact with infected feces (poop) from another dog or cat
Rolling and playing in contaminated soil
Licking its body after contact with a contaminated surface (for example, a dirty litter box or dog cage or crate)
Drinking water from a contaminated creek, pond, or other body of water
Young pets, like puppies and kittens, have a higher risk ofinfection than adult dogs and cats.
How do I protect myself if my dog or cat has a Giardiainfection?
The risk of acquiring Giardia infection from your dogor cat is small. However, there are some steps you can take tominimize your exposure to Giardia if you have dogs orcats:
Wear gloves when gardening to reduce the risk of coming into contact with infected feces (poop) or soil.
Clean household surfaces regularly.
Clean and disinfect areas that your pet has access toas well as items like toys, bedding, and water and food bowlsregularly.
Wash hands frequently and properly:
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well; be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds.
Rinse your hands well under running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
If my pet has a Giardia infection, how do Iclean and disinfect my house?
Giardia is hard to completely eliminate from theenvironment, but there are things you can do to decrease the riskof your pets reinfection and of human infection.
Hard surfaces (for example: cement and tile floors, crates, tables, trash cans, etc.)
Cleaning
Wear gloves.
Remove feces and discard in a plastic bag.
Clean and scrub surfaces using soap. Rinse surface thoroughly until no obvious visible contamination is present.
Disinfection
Wear gloves.
Disinfect according to manufacturer guidelines using one of the following:
Quaternary ammonium compound products (QATS), which are found in some household cleaning products; the active ingredient may be listed as alkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride.
Bleach mixed with water (3/4 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water)
Follow product instructions, ensuring the product stays in contact with the surface for the recommended amount of time.
Rinse with clean water.
Carpet / Upholstered Furniture
Cleaning
Wear gloves.
If feces are on a carpet or upholstered furniture, remove them with absorbent material (for example, double layered paper towels).
Place and discard the feces in a plastic bag.
Clean the contaminated area with regular detergent or carpet cleaning agent.
Allow carpet or upholstered furniture to fully dry.
Disinfection
Wear gloves.
Steam clean the area at 158ºF for 5 minutes or 212ºF for 1 minute.
QATS are found in some carpet cleaning products and can also be used after cleaning to disinfect. Read the product labels for specifications, and follow all instructions.
Other items (toys, clothing, pet bed, etc.)
Household items should be cleaned and disinfected daily while a dog or cat is being treated for Giardia infection.
Dishwasher
Dishwasher-safe toys and water and food bowls can be disinfected in a dishwasher that has a dry cycle or a final rinse that exceeds one of the following:
113ºF for 20 minutes
122ºF for 5 minutes
162ºF for 1 minute
If a dishwasher is not available, submerge dishwasher-safe items in boiling water for at least 1 minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes).
Washer and Dryer
Clothing, some pet items (for example, bedding and cloth toys) and linens (sheets and towels) can be washed in the washing machine and then heat-dried on the highest heat setting for 30 minutes.
If a clothes dryer is not available, allow clothes to thoroughly air dry under direct sunlight.
How do I reduce the amount of Giardia in my yard oroutdoor environment?
Giardia is hard to completely eliminate from theenvironment, but there are things you can do to help decrease therisk of pet reinfection and of human infection. Please rememberthat despite your best efforts to clean the environment, Giardiacan persist in outdoor spaces and pet reinfection is possible.
Wear gloves when handling feces.
Remove feces promptly and put them in a plastic bag.
Limit access to common outdoor spaces, where possible, if pets have diarrhea or are being treated for Giardia.
Eliminate any source of standing water (for example, puddles, containers with water, and fountains that are not in use).
Do not attempt to use bleach or QATS in your soil or grass area, as they will be ineffective.
Do not allow any new animals, especially young ones, to enter the yard or other outdoor space until advised by your veterinarian.
How long does Giardia survive in the environment?
In the soil
In cold temperatures (around 4ºC/39.2ºF), Giardia can survive for approximately 7 weeks (49 days).
At room temperature (around 25ºC/77ºF), Giardia can survive for approximately 1 week (7 days).
Dry vs. moist surface or environment
In a dry, warm environment that experiences direct sunlight, Giardia can survive for only a few days.
In a moist, cool environment, Giardia can survive for up to several weeks.
Water
In water temperatures below 10ºC/50ºF (for example, lake water or puddle water during the winter, refrigerated water), Giardia can survive for 13 months.
In water temperatures above 10ºC/50ºF (for example, river water during the fall, tap water, and puddles during the summer), Giardia can survive for less time than in colder temperatures. For example, in water above 37ºC/98.6ºF, Giardia can survive less than 4 days.
How often and for how long should I clean and disinfect myhome after my dog or cat is diagnosed with Giardiainfection?
Clean and disinfect potentially contaminated items (toys, water bowls and food bowls, pet bedding, floors, dog crates, linens, towels, litter box, etc.) regularly for as long as your pet is sick.
If your pet is taking medication, clean and disinfect frequently (daily if possible) until a few days after the last dose of medication is given.
Giardia survival depends on many factors, so we recommend that you consult your veterinarian for further advice.
How do I prevent my dog or cat from getting re-infected, orsickening my other pets, during treatment?
If you have other dogs or cats, make sure you tell your veterinarian even if they are not showing signs of diarrhea. Other pets may also be put on medicine depending on the situation. Even animals showing no signs of Giardia infection could be infected and shedding Giardia into the environment.
Bathe all household pets with pet shampoo following medical treatment to ensure no fecal residue is in the pets coat.
Clean dogs and cats environment (holding areas, floors, crate, etc.) and wash water bowls daily with soap and water.
Limit your dogs access to untreated surface water (creeks, ponds, lakes) to avoid re-infecting your animal and contaminating the water which could make other animals sick.
How do I treat my pet for Giardia infection?
If your pet has persistent diarrhea, seek veterinary care. Diarrhea has different causes and could result in dehydration or other serious complications.
Diagnosis and treatment of Giardia infection must be done by a licensed veterinarian.
No approved over-the-counter treatment is available for Giardia infection.
Giardia can be passed in stool intermittently, and an animal may appear healthy or without signs of disease before it stops passing Giardia. Repeated fecal tests may be necessary.
Follow your veterinarians recommendations, and take your pet to all follow-up appointments.
Giardia is a tiny parasite (germ) that causes the diarrheal disease giardiasis. Giardia is found on surfaces or in soil, food, or water that has been contaminated with feces (poop) from infected people or animals.
is a diarrheal disease caused by the microscopic parasite Giardia duodenalis (or “Giardia” for short). Once a person or animal has been infected with Giardia, the parasite lives in the intestines and is passed in stool (poop). Once outside the body, Giardia can sometimes survive for weeks or even months.
Giardia is a tiny parasite (germ) that causes the diarrheal disease giardiasis. Giardia is found on surfaces or in soil, food, or water that has been contaminated with feces (poop) from infected people or animals. You can get giardiasis if you swallow Giardia germs.
In bright-field microscopy, cysts appear ovoid to ellipsoid in shape and usually measure 11 to 14 µm (range: 8 to 19 µm). Immature and mature cysts have 2 and 4 nuclei, respectively. Intracytoplasmic fi brils are visible in cysts.
boiling water for at least 1 minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes).dishwasher that has a dry cycle or a final rinse cycle. boiling water for at least 1 minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes).
Several drugs can be used to treat Giardia infection. Effective treatments include metronidazole, tinidazole, and nitazoxanide. Other medications include paromomycin, quinacrine, and furazolidone. Some of these drugs may not be readily available in the United States.
Wormwood (200 milligrams taken 3x daily) — known for its anti-parasitic properties. (5) Oregano oil (500 milligrams taken 4x daily) — Oregano oil contains natural antibacterial and anti-parasitic substances that have many detoxifying effects.
Giardia is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness known as giardiasis. A parasite is an organism that feeds off of another organism in order to survive. Giardia is found on surfaces or in soil, food, or water that has been contaminated with feces from infected humans or animals.
Children and adults who have giardia infection without symptoms usually don't need treatment unless they're likely to spread the parasites. Many people who do have problems often get better on their own in a few weeks.
Sometimes it can be difficult for doctors to know for sure if Giardia is making you sick. This is because people with a Giardia infection do not pass Giardia germs with every stool. Even when there are Giardia germs in their stool, there may not be enough for the laboratory to find and identify them.
Lysol® and quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., Parvosol®) are also reported to kill cysts effectively. Giardia cysts are susceptible to drying, so keep your environment as dry as possible.
Treatment for Giardia involves taking an antibiotic. Depending on the antibiotic given, treatment may be needed for only one day or for several days. In most cases, this is enough to eliminate the infection and its symptoms.
The most common symptom of an active giardia infection is watery diarrhea. The diarrhea may be greenish or yellow in color, or it might be brown, but it is always going to be liquid. There may sometimes be blood present in a dog's stool as a result of giardia as well.
Occasionally, people with giardiasis will have long-term complications such as reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and recurring diarrhea that can last for years. Among children in particular, severe giardiasis may delay physical and mental growth, slow development, and cause malnutrition.
Once a person or animal has been infected with Giardia, the parasite lives in the intestines and is passed in stool (poop). Once outside the body, Giardia can sometimes survive for weeks or even months.
Eat slowly and avoid foods that are hard to digest or may irritate your stomach, such as foods with acid (like tomatoes or oranges), spicy or fatty food, meats, and raw vegetables. You may be able to go back to your normal diet in a few days.
Experimental studies have demonstrated that Giardia infection reduced both the severity and duration when probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei) were administered prior or simultaneous to the parasite.
Drinking water which is untreated or contaminated by infected faeces. Eating foods such as fruit or vegetables which have been washed in contaminated water.
The most readily available disinfectant is bleach diluted 1:32 in water. Studies have shown this dilution to require less than one minute of contact time to effectively kill giardia cysts.
Giardiasis can cause minor to severe digestive symptoms, such as loose, runny stools and stomach cramps. The Giardia parasite can live outside the body for a long time. It can survive in water or food and on surfaces such as doorknobs.
o At room temperature (around 25°C/77°F), Giardia can survive for approximately 1 week (7 days). o In a dry, warm environment that experiences direct sunlight, Giardia can survive for only a few days 8,9.
Can I get Giardia from my dog licking me? Fortunately, the risk of humans contracting Giardia from dogs is relatively low, but it can happen. Make sure to wash your hands after handling your dog's poop to reduce this low risk.
Once you begin the medicine, you can recover in about a week. If it's left untreated, symptoms can last 6 weeks or more. As with any illness, complications can occur.
What is the incubation period of Giardiasis and how long is it contagious? On average, incubation period is 1-4 weeks. Symptoms appear between 7 to 10 days after exposure. Contagious period is highly variable, but can be months.
Giardia infections usually clear up within a few weeks. But you may have intestinal problems long after the parasites are gone. Several drugs are generally effective against giardia parasites, but not everyone responds to them.
The cysts are a resting or dormant stage that helps the organism survive in unfavorable environmental conditions. These cysts are released with the bowel movements of infected humans or animals.
Both Giardia cysts and trophozoites can be found in the stool of someone who has giardiasis and may be observed microscopically to diagnose giardiasis.
What is the treatment for giardiasis? Metronidazole (Flagyl) is the primary drug of choice. However, there are several other prescription medications that are effective. Over–the-counter medications, such as Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate, should only be used after the evaluation and recommendation of a physician.
Disinfection efficiency – Hydrogen peroxide is generally an effective disinfectant. It is able to kill a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It is also effective at inactivating parasites such as giardia and cryptosporidium.
Cleanliness is Next to Giardia-lessness: Carpet and Upholstery Maintenance. My battle against Giardia taught me that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So here's my game plan for keeping my carpets and upholstery giardia-free: Regular vacuuming: Frequent vacuum sessions to suck up any potential threats.
How long does Giardia survive in the environment? In cold temperatures (around 4°C/39.2°F), Giardia can survive for approximately 7 weeks (49 days). At room temperature (around 25°C/77°F), Giardia can survive for approximately 1 week (7 days).
Common household disinfectants and steam-cleaning are the most effective ways for killing Giardia cysts. Remove and dispose of all feces promptly. Giardia cysts on the lawn can only be killed by direct sunlight drying them.
People exposed to Giardia may experience mild or severe diarrhea (loose stool/poop), gas, stomach cramps, nausea (a feeling of upset in the stomach), or dehydration (loss of water in the body causing weakness of dizziness). Some people experience no symptoms at all. Fever is rarely present.
Be cautious about taking nonprescription antidiarrheal medicines such as loperamide (Kaopectate or Imodium) or the prescription medicine Lomotil. These medicines can actually make the illness more severe, especially if the diarrhea is bloody.
Giardia (/dʒiːˈɑːrdiə/ or /ˈdʒɑːrdiə/) is a genus of anaerobic flagellated protozoan parasites of the phylum Metamonada that colonise and reproduce in the small intestines of several vertebrates, causing the disease giardiasis. ...
What is Giardia? Giardiasis is an intestinal infection in humans and animals caused by a microscopic protozoan. It is a simple one-celled parasitic species, not a worm, bacteria, or virus.
The genus Giardia, a protozoan parasite currently considered to belong within the phylum Metamonada, the order Diplomonadida, and the family Hexamitidae, consists of six different species: Giardia duodenalis (syn.
In some older systems of classification, Zoomastigophora is a phylum within the kingdom Protista. Organisms within this group have a spherical, elongated body with a single central nucleus.
On average, incubation period is 1-4 weeks. Symptoms appear between 7 to 10 days after exposure. Contagious period is highly variable, but can be months. It is most contagious during the diarrheal phase.
You may eat soft, plain foods. Good choices are soda crackers, toast, plain noodles, or rice, cooked cereal, applesauce, and bananas. Eat slowly and avoid foods that are hard to digest or may irritate your stomach, such as foods with acid (like tomatoes or oranges), spicy or fatty food, meats, and raw vegetables.
After exposure to the acidic environment of the stomach, cysts excyst into trophozoites in the proximal small intestine. The trophozoite is the vegetative form and replicates in the small intestine, where it causes symptoms of diarrhea and malabsorption.
Occasionally, people with giardiasis will have long-term complications such as reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and recurring diarrhea that can last for years. Among children in particular, severe giardiasis may delay physical and mental growth, slow development, and cause malnutrition.
Giardia life cycle. Giardia has one of the simplest life cycles of all human parasites. The life cycle is composed of two stages: (1) the trophozoite (see the first image below), which exists freely in the human small intestine; and (2) the cyst, which is passed into the environment. No intermediate hosts are required.
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