infectious diseases
Giardiasis
Symptoms and Signs of Giardiasis
Many cases of giardiasis are asymptomatic. However, asymptomatic people can pass infective cysts. Symptoms of acute giardiasis usually appear 1 to 14 days (average 7 days) after infection. They are usually mild and include watery malodorous diarrhea, abdominal cramps and distention, flatulence, eructation, intermittent nausea, epigastric discomfort, and sometimes low-grade malaise, fatigue, and anorexia. Acute giardiasis usually lasts 1 to 3 weeks. Giardiasis is often accompanied by acquired lactose-intolerance. Overview of Malabsorption of fat and sugars can lead to significant weight loss in severe cases. Neither blood nor white blood cells are present in stool. A subset of infected patients develop chronic diarrhea with foul stools, abdominal distention, and malodorous flatus. Substantial weight loss and fatigue may occur. Chronic giardiasis occasionally causes failure to thrive in children. 