 Q. Next summer I've signed up to go trekking in East Africa and have been warned about contracting Giardia. What is it and how will I know if I have it.
A. Giardia lamblia is a single-celled protozoan, which is more commonly picked up by drinking contaminated water. The symptoms are as follows:
A. A large volume of foul smelling, loose (but not watery) stools seven to ten days after ingestion, accompanied by abdominal distension flatulence, and cramping.
B. Sudden onset of explosive diarrhoea seven to ten days after ingestion.
C. Nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, headache, and low grade fever.
D. Acute symptoms can last seven to twenty-one days and may become chronically persistent or relapsing.
E. In chronic cases, significant weight loss can occur.
However, the symptoms for giardia are non-specific and there are plenty of other problems that can exhibit the same, or similar, symptoms. You really need to consult a physician and submit a stool sample.
In the meantime, to avoid ever acquiring this parasite, boil all water – regardless of how pure and pristine it appears – for five minutes or use a water filter with an absolute pore size of at least 1 micron, or one that has been rated for “cyst removal”.
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