Giardiasis Flashcards
1
Q
What pathogen is giardiasis caused by?
A
Giardia lamblia
2
Q
how is giardia lamblia spread?
A
faecal-oral route
access to contaminated water, uncooked fruit or veg or lack of hand hygiene are key
think india for questions
3
Q
Clinical features?
A
incubation period is one to 3 weeks
patients often have explosive, non-bloody diarrhoea
Bloating, flatulence, nausea, weight loss, anorexia
4
Q
Diagnosis of giardiasis?
A
Stool microscopy, repeated 3 times on separate days to avoid false negative results
Other tests include stool antigen tests and stool PCR
5
Q
Management of giardiasis?
A
Without treatment, infection can persist for many months
treatment is with antibiotics, such as metronidazole
new-onset lactose intolerance is not uncommon in these patients
