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Giardiasis
Giardia is a parasite often found in soil or bodies of waters such as ponds, lakes, and creeks. Epidemics can occur in child care settings where there are children in diapers.
Symptoms
Decreased appetite, gas, stomach cramps, stomach pain and distention, nausea, diarrhea (persistent or recurring), and weight loss. Very often, children are infected and show no symptoms.
Symptoms
Decreased appetite, gas, stomach cramps, stomach pain and distention, nausea, diarrhea (persistent or recurring), and weight loss. Very often, children are infected and show no symptoms.
Spread
Giardia is spread through the fecal-oral route, where the infected child's stool gets in contact with another object, surface, or person. Often the child has contaminated fingers which then touch the object and another child touches or puts that object in their mouth. Giardia can be spread from contaminated hands of caregivers as well. Spread can continue to occur after symptoms have stopped.
Spread
Giardia is spread through the fecal-oral route, where the infected child's stool gets in contact with another object, surface, or person. Often the child has contaminated fingers which then touch the object and another child touches or puts that object in their mouth. Giardia can be spread from contaminated hands of caregivers as well. Spread can continue to occur after symptoms have stopped.
Contagious Period
As long as Giardia is present in the stool, a person can be a possible source of infection. Giardia can be present in stool for several months after symptoms have stopped; however, it is most contagious while diarrhea is occurring.
Contagious Period
As long as Giardia is present in the stool, a person can be a possible source of infection. Giardia can be present in stool for several months after symptoms have stopped; however, it is most contagious while diarrhea is occurring.
Exclusion
Child Care: Children infected with Giardia who have symptoms should be excluded until 24 hours after diarrhea has stopped. Children may become reinfected with Giardia. Children who have Giardia in their stools, but who have no symptoms, do not need to be excluded. Childcare workers should be excluded until 24 hours after diarrhea has stopped, without the use of antidiarrheal medication.
Exclusion
Child Care: Children infected with Giardia who have symptoms should be excluded until 24 hours after diarrhea has stopped. Children may become reinfected with Giardia. Children who have Giardia in their stools, but who have no symptoms, do not need to be excluded. Childcare workers should be excluded until 24 hours after diarrhea has stopped, without the use of antidiarrheal medication.
School: None, unless the child is not feeling well and/or has diarrhea and needs to use the bathroom frequently. Exclusion may be necessary during outbreaks.
School: None, unless the child is not feeling well and/or has diarrhea and needs to use the bathroom frequently. Exclusion may be necessary during outbreaks.
Anyone with Giardia should not partake in water play activities until after diarrhea has stopped.
Anyone with Giardia should not partake in water play activities until after diarrhea has stopped.
Causes
Causes
Giardia spp., a parasite.
Incubation
Incubation
Can take one to three weeks, for symptoms to develop after the exposure.
Prevention/Control
Prevention/Control
Frequent, careful hand washing by school/child care staff, children, and household members.
Clean, rinse with clean water, then disinfect contaminated areas (diapering area, toilets, potty chairs) and sanitize toys at least daily and when soiled.
Staff with Giardia may be excluded from food service.
Children with diarrhea should not engage in water play activities.
Is it Reportable?
Is it Reportable?
Provider: This disease is reportable to the local or state health department.
Parents/guardians: Inform your school/child care provider if your child has this illness.
Disease Information Print out
Disease Information Print out
Giardiasis.pdf
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