Signs and Symptoms Its estimated that between 1% and 20% of the U.S. population has giardiasis, and this figure may be 20% or higher in developing countries, where giardiasis is a major cause of epidemic childhood diarrhea. But more than two thirds of people who are infected may have no signs or symptoms of illness, even though the parasite is living in their intestines. When the parasite does cause symptoms, the illness usually begins with severe watery diarrhea, without blood or mucus. Giardiasis affects the bodys ability to absorb fats from the diet, so the diarrhea contains unabsorbed fats. That means that the diarrhea floats, is shiny, and smells very bad. Other symptoms include: •abdominal cramps •large amounts of intestinal gas •an enlarged belly from the gas •loss of appetite •nausea and vomiting •sometimes a low-grade fever These symptoms may last for 5 to 7 days or longer. If they last longer, a child may lose weight or show other signs of poor nutrition. Sometimes, after acute (or short-term) symptoms of giardiasis pass, the disease begins a chronic (or more prolonged) phase. Symptoms of chronic giardiasis include: •periods of intestinal gas •abdominal pain in the area above the navel •poorly formed, mushy bowel movements (poop
Posted on: Sat, 05 Apr 2014 20:52:57 +0000
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