Giardiasis aka Beaver Fever By: Andrew Marmo

Sources ► The MERK Manual ► Google Images ► /PMH

Cause ► Giardiasis is an infection of the small intestine caused by Giardia lamblia, a single-celled parasite.

Giardia lamblia

Transmission ► Giardiasis is caused by ingestion of infective cysts. Usually contracted by drinking water containing cysts. ► 3 modes  host-to-host  water-borne  and venereal

Vector/Reservoirs ► Giardia has no vector. It can survive in cold water without a host for several months. ► It is found in humans, and a wide variety of other aquatic and semi-aquatic mammals such as beavers, muskrats, and other small rodents. ► It is also found in some varieties of birds.

Cyst and Trophozoite

Symptoms ► Gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal cramps, watery diarrhea, vomiting, and fever which may last for 3–4 days. ► Other symptoms include loss of appetite, malaise, and fatigue.

Severity ► Giardiasis is usually self-limiting, although the infection can be prolonged in hosts who have a weak immune system, or who have decreased gastric acid secretion. ► It can also be deadly to hosts with compromised immune systems like the elderly or AIDS patients.

Prevention ► Boil stream or lake water if your in the woods. You never know what’s up stream. ► ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS!