GIARDIA
Prevent this food
and waterborne disease.
Giardia
(pronounced gee-ah-dee-ah) is a parasite found in the
gut of humans and animals such as cattle, sheep, cats, dogs, rats and possums.
It is passed on in the faeces (poo, tutae) of
infected animals and humans.
Giardia is widespread in New Zealand and the
parasites can live in the environment for long periods, especially in lake,
river, stream and roof water.
How
does a person become infected ?
People become infected when they swallow the
parasites. This may be from
contaminated water and food, or from contact with infected animals or humans.
The
signs and symptoms of the illness
Giardia may cause:
.
foul
smelling diarrhoea
.
stomach
cramps and abdominal pain
.
nausea
and vomiting
.
weight
loss
.
bloating
.
slight
fever
.
headache
.
fatigue
Symptoms appear between three and 25 days
(usually seven to ten days) after becoming infected.
The person will usually be ill for three to four
days and without treatment may remain infectious for months.
During this time the person can spread the parasite to other people, even
when there are no symptoms.
Treatment
of Giardia infection
.
For
advice, testing and treatment you will need to visit your doctor
.
Take
a faecal specimen with you, as a laboratory test will be needed
.
Your
doctor will give you a course of drugs such as Flagyl or Dyzole
.
Drink
plenty of safe fluids while the diarrhoea lasts, to prevent dehydration.
Follow your doctor's instructions
.
Go
back to your doctor if your child is not drinking
.
If
you have giardia infection the doctor is required to report this to the Medical
Officer of Health of the Public Health Service (PHS).
The PHS may contact you to
find out how you picked up the parasite.
This helps to prevent more outbreaks of
the illness.
Taking
time off work or school
Usually people can go back to work and
children can return to early childhood centres and school when the symptoms are
gone. However, as giardia infection
is a notifiable disease you will need to check with your doctor or health
protection officer first.
If you are working with food, or employed in a
hospital, rest home, school or early childhood centre you may be required to
stay away from work until you are tested free from giardia infection.
How
to avoid getting giardia
infection and passing it on to others
Washing
hands
Wash you hands thoroughly by using plenty of
soap, cleaning under fingernails, rinsing hands well and drying on a clean
towel:
.
before
and after preparing food
.
after
going to the toilet or changing a baby's nappy
.
after
caring for people with giardia
.
after
playing or working with animals
It is best to avoid preparing food for other
people if you have giardia infection but if you have to, wash your hands
carefully.
Water
in rural areas
.
drinking
water taken from the roof, rivers, lakes etc, should be boiled for one
minute or an approved filter (Standard AS/NZS4348:1995) should be used.
.
when
using roof water, spouting should be cleaned regularly and roofs kept clear of
bird and animal droppings
.
avoid
placing TV aerials on the roof for birds to perch on and avoid planting trees
close to the house to prevent animals from getting on to the roof.
When
you visit a swimming pool:
.
take
your children to the toilet before they swim and then wash hands
.
shower
yourself and your children using soap (particularly in the area around the bottom) before entering the pool
.
ensure
babies swim in tight fitting togs, not nappies, to prevent faecal matter
getting into the water. Wash
your hands after changing the baby
.
report
any faecal accidents (poo in the water) to the pool attendant immediately
No
one should go swimm
Wait until at least two weeks after the symptoms
have gone.
Help
keep the environment free of giardia when tramping and camping
.
use
toilets when they are provided
.
when
no toilets are provided bury toilet waste and paper. Make sure you bury it at
least 50 metres away from any water source such as rivers and lakes
.
do
not wash your hands directly in the water.
Collect water, wash you hands in it
and then drain it into the ground away from the water source.
Washing
hands in hot soapy water and drying them on a clean towel will help prevent the spread of
giardia.
