The symptoms of giardiasis usually begin 9-15 days after contracting a giardiasis infection. Initial symptoms can include:
- upset stomach,
- nausea,
- loss of appetite, and
- a low-grade fever, i.e. a temperature of 37-38ºC (98.6-100.4ºF).
These initial symptoms are usually followed by repeated bouts of watery, foul smelling diarrhoea.
You may also experience:
- belching (burping); the belches are often unpleasant smelling,
- abdominal bloating,
- indigestion, and
- abdominal pain and cramping.
The symptoms of giardiasis usually resolve within two weeks, although in a few cases, diarrhoea can persist for several months or even years.
However, this chronic (long-lasting) form of giardiasis is rare in people who have received medical treatment for the condition.
Asymptomatic giardiasis
The majority of people who are infected by the giardia intestinalis parasites experience no symptoms. This is known as asymptomatic giardiasis.
It is still uncertain why some people experience symptoms while other people do not. However, those with asymptomatic giardiasis can still pass the infection onto others.
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is the passing of frequent watery stools when you go to the toilet.
Stomach
The sac-like organ of the digestive system. It helps to digest food by churning it and mixing it with acids to break it down into smaller pieces.
Loss of appetite
Loss of appetite is when you do not feel hungry or want to eat.
Nausea
Nausea is when you feel like you are going to be sick.
Dehydration
Dehydration is an excessive loss of fluids and minerals from the body.
