Giardia lamblia is the scientific name for the one-celled, microscopic parasite that lives in the intestines of humans and animals. It is recognized as the most common waterborne diseases in the United States. Though not everyone that is infected shows any symptoms, common symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and nausea. Symptoms last 4-6 weeks in otherwise healthy individuals, and there are several drugs to treat Giardia. Though Giardia is only infectious when it is in cyst form, Giardia is passed easily through anything being put into the mouth that has been infected by contaminated water or the stool of an infected person.
Giardia lamblia is the scientific name for the one-celled, microscopic parasite that lives in the intestines of humans and animals. It is recognized as the most common waterborne diseases in the United States. Though not everyone that is infected shows any symptoms, common symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and nausea. Symptoms last 4-6 weeks in otherwise healthy individuals, and there are several drugs to treat Giardia. Though Giardia is only infectious when it is in cyst form, Giardia is passed easily through anything being put into the mouth that has been infected by contaminated water or the stool of an infected person.