Warning Signs Of Giardiasis

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is the most common and best-known symptom, and it can last for months. The resulting stools are greasy and malodorous, and they often float. The stools’ greasiness is due to the parasites’ damaging the intestines so they cannot properly absorb nutrients, and the stools thus contain abnormal amounts of fat. The malabsorption also affects a patient’s ability to absorb vitamin A, vitamin B9 (folate or folic acid), vitamin B12, and lactose. Severely loose stools can also cause the patient to become dehydrated, for they lose too much fluid in their watery stools.

Giardiasis can be acute or chronic. The acute form of the disease runs its course within a few weeks, but the chronic form lasts longer. In addition to the symptoms already mentioned, a patient with chronic giardiasis will develop pain around their navel, and they will suffer weight loss.

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