DREADED GIARDIA

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DREADED GIARDIA
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• Causes- Giardia is a parasite that resides in the
  deep dark bowels of both humans and animals. This
  is probably one of the most common water born
  illness that people in the outdoors can acquire.
  People in the backcountry typically get it from
  water that is contaminated by feces (poop) from
  both humans and animals that ultimately ends up
  in the water supply. It can also be present in
  the soil, so you can get it from several sources.
  Unfortunately, even in pristine environments
  Giardia is a risk.

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• Symptoms- Diarrhea, tent clearing flatulence
  (gas), abdominal bloating, cramps and pain.
  Nausea, vomiting and fever may also be present.
  Symptoms typically develop 1-2 weeks after
  ingestion and can last up to six weeks.

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• Treatment- The best treatment is not getting the
  problem in the first place. That means treating
  all your drinking water with a water purifier or
  iodine. Try not to swallow river water while you
  are upside down in your kayak. Make sure you and
  everybody in your party wash their hands
  religiously after they have a bowel movement or
  urinate. In general, wash your hands compulsively
  while in the backcountry.    Use liquid hand
  sanitizers, you know the brands. You can wait
  things out and the problem should resolve itself.
  If that does not sound good then go see your
  doctor. There are antibiotics you can take to
  solve the problem but you will need to see your
  doctor to get them. There is no evidence that I
  am aware of that alternative therapies will help.

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• Diagnosis- Stool analysis is the only way to
  definitely diagnose your problem. There are many
  other critters swimming around in our rivers and
  lakes that can cause similar symptoms. Therefore,
  if your problems are persistent a doctor should
  check you out.
• Caveat for the day- An ounce of prevention is
  worth a pound of cure. Have you ever heard that
  before? Think about what you are putting in your
  mouth and where your hands have been. If you are
  in a third world country or places where the
  water supply is suspect, be careful. You can get
  nailed unexpectedly by brushing your teeth with
  contaminated water, drinking things with
  contaminated ice cubes or having close contact
  with adults or children who already have Giardia.
  Remember poop is where most of these problems
  come from, so be cautious when you are in contact
  with feces.

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• Contact us
• ERIC R. BECK, MD
• Address Huntsville, Alabama 35805, USA
• Email ID drbeck_at_becks-world.net