Giardiasis history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, explosive diarrhea, loose or watery stool, stomach cramps, upset stomach, projectile vomiting (uncommon), bloating, and flatulence. Symptoms typically begin 1–2 weeks after infection and may wane and reappear cyclically. Symptoms are caused largely by the thick coating of Giardia organisms coating the inside of the small intestine and blocking nutrient absorption. Most people are asymptomatic; only about a third of infected people exhibit symptoms.
Symptoms
Giardia infection can cause a variety of intestinal symptoms, which include:
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Gas or flatulence
- Greasy stool that can float
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Low-grade fever
- Stomach or abdominal cramps
- Swollen or distended abdomen
- Upset stomach or nausea
- Vomiting
These symptoms may also lead to weight loss. Some people with Giardia infection have no symptoms at all. The time between infection and developing symptoms is 7 - 14 days.