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Giardiasis (cont.)

When to Seek Medical Care

When to call the doctor

Contact a doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment if your symptoms are consistent with giardiasis, if symptoms last despite treatment, or if any new symptoms develop.

When to go to the hospital

  • Profuse watery diarrhea with dehydration

    • Signs and symptoms of dehydration in adults include being thirsty, feeling weak, decreased urination, no saliva or dry mouth, no tears, fast heart rate, and light-headedness.

    • Children with dehydration may also get irritable or sleepy.

  • Passing many small-volume stools with blood or mucus

  • Fever greater than 100.4°F (38°C)

  • More than 6 unformed stools in 24 hours

  • Illness longer than 48 hours

  • Diarrhea with severe abdominal pain in anyone older than 50 years

  • Diarrhea in anyone older than 70 years

  • Diarrhea in people with weakened immune systems such as those with AIDS, people receiving chemotherapy, or transplant recipients



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Giardiasis »

Giardia lamblia was originally identified by von Leeuwenhoek in the 1600s and was first recognized in human stool by Vilem Dusan Lambl (1824-1895) in 1859 and by Alfred Giard (1846-1908) after whom it is named.

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