Definition:
Giardia lamblia is a protozoan that causes the disease giardiasis. It thrives in the digestive system as cysts and cause infections in the intestinal tract.
Diagnosis:
The disease can be diagnosed by urine tests and laboratory examinations. People living under poor sanitary conditions are most likely to contract the disease.
Treatment:
Giardiasis can be treated with metronidazole, and the giardia cysts can be flushed away be drinking distilled water. The trophozoites meanwhile remain in the digestive tract for months or even years. The disease can also resolve itself within a matter of days.
Symptoms and Signs:
Persons infected with the disease do not experience symptoms during its first stages; fever and chills after eating a meal can be expected from patients with giardiasis.
Causes:
Giardia lamblia can be contracted from infected persons. It can also be brought about by poor hygiene and drinking contaminated water.
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