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Giardiasis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Giardia; Traveler's diarrhea - giardiasis

Symptoms:

The time between being infected and developing symptoms is 7 - 14 days. The acute phase lasts 2 - 4 weeks.

Signs and tests:

Tests that may be done include:

Enteroscopy
Stool antigen test to check for Giardia
Stool ova and parasites exam
String test (rarely performed)

This disease may also affect the results of the following tests:

Digestive system

Giardiasis

Institutional hygiene

Digestive system organs

Reviewed last on: 11/2/2008
Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Garcia LS. Protozoa: intestinal and urogenital amebae, flagellates and ciliates. In: Cohen J, Powderly WG, eds. Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Elsevier; 2004: chap 242.

Hill DR. Giardia lamblia. In: Mandell, GL, Bennett, JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2005: chap 277.

Huston CD. Intestinal protozoa. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Sleisenger MH, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006: chap 106.

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