Giardiasis: cause, symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Giardiasis, also known as lambliosis, is a intestinal infection caused by the flagellate protozoan Giardia lamblia. It can present in the form of a cyst or trophozoite, the former being responsible for causing chronic strong-smelling diarrhea, weakness and abdominal cramps in the host (dog, cat, cattle, rodents, human beings, among others), thanks to the toxins it releases. These manifestations can generate a picture of vitamin and mineral deficiency and, in children, it can cause death if left untreated.
It occurs all over the world, but it is more frequent in regions where sanitary and hygiene conditions are precarious.
You protozoa are transmitted by ingestion of cysts from the feces of a contaminated individual, which may be present in water, food, hands, and even during oral-anal sex. Flies and cockroaches can also carry them. In the stomach, they give rise to trophozoites. These colonize the small intestine, reproduce and their descendants, after undergoing an encystment process, are released to the outside of the host, when it defecates. O

incubation period it's between one and four weeks and infection may be asymptomatic.
O diagnosis it is done via stool examination or, in rare cases, biopsy of duodenal material. THE prevention it is done by adopting hygiene habits, such as washing hands after going to the bathroom, changing diapers, playing with animals and before eating or preparing food; drink only treated water; sanitize food before consumption and cure the sick. Remember that chlorine does not kill cysts and, therefore, food or water treated solely with chlorine does not prevent infection by this protozoan.
O treatment it can be done with the use of drugs prescribed by the doctor. Adults who have closer contact with children and people who work in the food sector should withdraw from their duties until complete healing.

THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH WARNS:
Self-medication can have unwanted and unanticipated effects, as the wrong medicine not only does not cure, it can worsen your health.
By Mariana Araguaia
Graduated in Biology
Brazil School Team

Diseases Caused by Protozoa - Illnesses - Brazil School