|
|
Article: Giardiasis: the most common parasitic infection. (Food for Thought)
- Article from:
- Consumers' Research Magazine
- Article date:
- April 1, 1993
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1993 Consumers' Research, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Until the 1960s, Giardia lamblia, a protozoan, was thought to be nonpathogenic. However, during the next decade, human giardiasis infections produced by G. lamblia increased rapidly. By 1984, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) noted a doubling in the numbers of cases within periods of five years. At present, giardiasis has become the most common parasitic infection in the United States.
G. lamblia enters the human body from contaminated water or food through the fecal-oral route. The infection leads to many gastrointestinal symptoms, including gas, bloating, intermittent diarrhea and constipation, abdominal cramps, nausea, and weight loss. There may be a ...