Giardia are protozoa that affect the small intestine. Children are infected more often than adults through daycare, school, water, or unwashed hands.
Five cold-like symptoms
Parents often do not link these signs to parasites:
- Bloating, abdominal pain, irregular stool.
- Poor appetite, nausea.
- Irritability, rapid fatigue.
- Pallor, itchy skin without a rash.
- Prolonged “coughing” illness without fever.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis is confirmed by stool tests (often several samples) and, when indicated, immunologic tests. Self-medication with antiparasitic drugs is unsafe: only a physician sets dose and regimen by age and weight.
Home prevention
Wash hands before meals, boil water for young children, avoid raw tap water when traveling. After treatment, screen contacts and do wet cleaning at home.