15 Causes of Giardia

Giardia is an intestinal infection that affects less than 200,000 people each year in the United States. The intestinal infection is easily spread and is mainly in areas where cleanliness is poor and water is unsafe to drink. When giardia is present, a person will have diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, and bloating.

It is a treatable disease that takes between a few days to a few weeks to be completed cleared of it. It is the most known waterborne disease in the United States. It is known to be found in lakes and streams, but can also be in swimming pools, city water supplies, and wells. When the infection is transmitted from person to person contact it is through food, drink, and unprotected sex. There are eight causes of giardia that people need to be aware of, so that they are more knowledgeable about the disease and take preventative measures, so that they are not exposed in the future.

1. Not Washing Hands

is a cause for getting giardia. When people are in public or private bathrooms, they should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and hot water and dry them off with a clean cloth. Most people are in such a hurry they forget to wash their hands because they have to be somewhere.

If they would wash their hands it would save everyone from getting the infection. When people do not wash their hands and touch another person or food, they are getting germs on the item or person that they touched. The cycle keeps on going and going until everyone starts getting sick and develop giardia.

Even in fast food restaurants, people can be exposed to giardia, if the cook isn’t practicing cleanliness. If the cook or server has giardia and is still handling food, it can be spread to many people. Even scratching one’s head and not washing the hands afterwards can cause giardia.