infections
Giardiasis
Symptoms of Giardiasis
Some infected people have no symptoms, but these people can passGiardiacysts in their stool and can thus infect others. Symptoms, when they occur, appear about 1 to 2 weeks after infection. Symptoms of giardiasis typically include abdominal cramps, gas (flatulence), belching, and watery, foul-smelling diarrhea. Nausea may come and go. People may feel tired and vaguely uncomfortable and lose their appetite. If untreated, the diarrhea may persist for weeks. People with giardiasis often develop Lactose Intolerance (inability to digest lactose, the sugar in milk), which can result in diarrhea, gas, and bloating. A few people with giardiasis develop diarrhea that persists longer. These people may not absorb enough nutrients from food (called Overview of Malabsorption ), resulting in significant weight loss. Occasionally, chronic giardiasis prevents children from growing as expected (a condition called Failure to Thrive in Children ). 