Giardiasis: an elusive cause of gastrointestinal distress.
review · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 20086650.
- Also identified by DOI 10.3810/psm.2000.07.1079.
- No licence information is recorded for this record.
- Because redistribution is not established, this page shows the abstract only. Follow the links below for the full text.
Abstract
The common protozoan Giardia lamblia has a fecal-oral mode of transmission, usually from contaminated water or food or person-to-person contact. Infection may be asymptomatic or result in a broad spectrum of symptoms-most commonly, subacute illness that is mistaken for other gastrointestinal problems. Although most infections are self-limited, treatment is indicated due to the long duration and the risk of transmission. Several therapeutic agents are available, but none is 100% effective. Prevention for people involved in outdoor sports or recreation and for international travelers includes treatment of all surface water and rigorous personal hygiene.