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Division of Public Health Services Disease Handbook for Childcare Providers Bureau of Infectious Disease Control REVISED –January 2018 GIARDIASIS Giardiasis is an intestinal illness caused by Giardia lamblia, a microscopic parasite. The infectious form of the parasite is passed in the stool of an infected individual. Who gets this disease? Anyone can get Giardiasis. It is very commo n in childcare centers; especially those that have children under age three. It spreads easily among these children to their caretakers and families. How is it spread? The most common way a person becomes infected with giardia in the childcare setting is by the fecal -oral route. Eating food contaminated with the parasite may also infect a person. Food may become contaminated when the person preparing the food has giardiasis and has some infected stool on his/her hands because of poor hand washing habits. Additionally, a person may become infected by drinking water that is contaminated with the parasite. Streams, ponds and springs in New Hampshire are frequently contaminated with giardiasis parasites. Water can also be contaminated with giardia when sewage enters the drinking water supply. What are the symptoms? The most common symptoms of a giardia infection are diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, decreased appetite and excess gas. There is usually no fever or vomiting. The diarrhea may last up to several months and can cause significant weight loss. How soon do the symptoms appear? The symptoms appear within 5- 25 days or longer. The average incubation period is 1-3 weeks. Can a person have this disease without knowing it? Yes. Some people may ha ve very mild infections that are not serious enough to cause them to go to a doctor. They may not feel sick at all. In some cases of giardia infection, parasites can be found in the stool from several days to several months after the symptoms have stopped. What is the treatment? Several drugs are effective in killing the giardia parasite. Treatment is usually necessary for persons with diarrhea. How can the spread of this disease be prevented? 1. Wash hands thoroughly after using the toilet and diapering a child. 2. Wash hands thoroughly before preparing food. 3. Keep children who have diarrhea at home. 4. Staff with stool positive for giardia should not prepare food or feed children. Who should be excluded? Any person with diarrhea shall be excluded from food handling, from childcare agencies and from direct care of hospitalized or institutionalized patients until 48 hours after resolution of symptoms Reportable? Yes, giardiasis is reportable by New Hampshire law to the Division of Public Health Services, Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at (603) 271-4496. |