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How to avoid Girardia!!!

OK... this isn't a pretty topic, but someone has to address it. I'll try not to be ugly or overly detailed, but I'm sure I'm not the only traveler who has suffered this.

I came to Colombia for the first time in 2001. Cali and Cartegena. I knew I shouldn't drink the water, and drank bottled water always. After just a few days it started. At first it was just a little diarrea. No big deal. But it kept getting worse, and I was getting afraid to go anywhere for fear of having to GO! I was just learning Spanish at the time, and had to ask my ex suegra for help (que verguenza). She took me to the pharmacy and got me something that I guess was the equivalent of Immodium. It didn't do a thing. Nothing worked.
I tried to smile and act like I was OK. When I look back and see pictures from that trip, I look like someone who has possibly undergone chemo treatments or has HIV. I lost about 15 pounds. I lost energy, felt awful. I thought when I got back to the US and just ate "normal food" I'd be allright. Didn't happen. After a few days back in the US I finally went to the doctor and was diagnosed with Girardia, the parasite that gets into your intestine. They treat it with an antibiotic called Flagyl, or Methandozone. I finally recovered, but I have to say, that is probably the sickest I've been in my life. It's more than just a few unpleasant trips to the bathroom. Imagine feeling constantly that you need to go, but you can't posslibly have anything more inside you because you just went 5 minutes ago. It can feel like shards of glass turing around inside you, and you're weak and just want to lay down and sleep. But you won't sleep for long!

So now before I do any traveling like this my doc gives me Cipro to take with me. If the problem persists more than a couple of days, I hit the Cipro. I'm not sure that is really a good treatment for Girardia, I think the doc just hopes that will stave off any problems for a bit until I can get back to see him. It does seem to work, a bit.

So I've been back to Colombia now 5 times since. Every trip, I've had some bit of problem. I think a lot about what am I doing, eating, drinking, that causes this. Drinking bottled water is easy. But it appears you really need to avoid all water from the taps. Do you know how hard that is??!! I use the bottled water to brush my teeth. But I guess I should avoid all the fruits that may have been washed first, salads, any produce. How sad that is... I love the fruit juices here.

Well it happend AGAIN this year. Luckily I knew what was going on and sent for some Flagyl. It started to work quickly, thank God!! But I lost a day of vacation just resting in the apartment. You might notice fever and chills before the real problems kick in.

So my advice to travelers... talk to your doctor and tell him you're going to Colombia and you might need something to help you with Digestion Issues. If you have diarrea that doesn't go away- GET SOME Flagyl!!! You can't drink while you take it, but trust me, you won't feel like drinking anyway. Oh, and in Colombia you don't have to have a prescription to get it.

Anyone have other comments or suggestions about foods they avoid? The sad thing is I LOVE many of the traditional plates. I realize some of us have ridiculously tame defense systems, accustomed to FDA standards and safe water in the US. Other people might have no problem whatsoever. Tried Champus this time in Cali. Nice. Don't think that was a problem. But the seviche I bought off the streets in Cartegena that first year.....delicious!!!!
I suspect that was the start of my problems. Didn't bother my fellow traverers though (all Colombians).

While I'm on the subject, it seems like there is some sort of an effort on the part of business owners and shopping centers to discourage people from doing #2 in a public restroom. Trust me, you will need to sooner or later!! The toilets at Chipichape, upscale mall in Cali, don't have lids!!!!! I saw that in many places. Imagine you really gotta go.....but you don't get to sit, no no no!! You get to squat and hope for the best. Oh, I hope you checked first if you needed toilet paper. Hmmm. I was at Unilago in Bogota and nature called. Went to the bathroom there and saw that there were toilet paper dispensers like vending machines. If you wanna do #2 here buddy... you'll have to pay 200 pesos for a couple of squares!!! It surprised me that in many "nice" areas, the bathrooms still looked like gas station bathrooms. I have to give credit though and say that others were kept very clean. Men, don't get shocked or put off if when you're doing your business, a lady comes in to clean and mop. She won't look at you or even notice you're there, but yes, that was a Men's room.

My last tidbit... avoid Corral. That's a burger chain, sort of like an upscale McDonald's. The food is great. I don't usually think to eat hamburgers in Colombia, but the locals here love it. Well, my experince there has been that the food was good, but you pay again later. The first 2 times I thought that may be just a coincedince. The last time I went, my friend also had problems, and he is Colombian. He said that always happens to him at Corral, and his mother fusses and him and tells him not to eat there. And my experience has been at 3 different locations.

OK I guess I'm done here. Hope the post helps more than grosses out.

By NCMike on Jul 26, 2008, 01:34 in Friendly Talkzone.

webmanco says on Jul 26, 2008, 01:51:

Thanks for a detaliled description of the issues you are confronted while in Colombia regarding water, food and bathrooms.

I was not familiar with the word Girardia, I though you were asking how to avoid Girardot or Girardota :-)

I should add that many people take also precautions when eating salads and as the water the precaution needs to be taken worldwide.

People tend to think that just because they drink bottle water they are going to be fine, well someone while in Colombia drank at least three bottles of water daily to find out later on by the doctor that she had a serious case of deshidratation.

Drinking coffe an only bottle water could let to deshidratation, the bottle water lacks of the minerals found in fruits and natural juices and coffe is a diuretic.

I am not a doctor but I guess you left unnattended a deshidratation causing further damage to your health.

Last but not least on the bathroom, nothing wrong with squating.

"some of us have ridiculously tame defense systems"

Giardiasis is an emerging disease in post-disaster situations and adequate prevention measures should be implemented during these circumstances

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=101378

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 26, 2008, 02:19:

I don't know, I've always drank tap water in Medellin, for years. Never a problem.

Poor but snappy

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 26, 2008, 02:23:

I am still not familiar with the word girardia. I do know a bit about giardia though.

I went to Cartagena at the end of Jan. to spend 6 weeks in my apartment there. I had moved to Medellín in March of 2007 and had been renting the Cartagena apartment to tourists since then. The filter in my water filter system was supposed to have been changed, but it was not. I drank the water from the filter system for about a week before I finally figured out that there was a problem.

Six months later, I am still running to the bathroom 20 to 30 times a day. I have seen 5 different doctors including a gastroenterologist. I have been diagnosed with many things including giardia. Metronidalzole has not done anything nor has Cipro.

I have my first appointment with a US gastroenterologist next week.

Be God damned careful in Cartagena!!

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panthdave says on Jul 26, 2008, 02:32:

Thanks for the warning...Have not had a problem yet in Medellin since 2006. I have been drinking tap water all the time even Fincas out in the country.. but only around Medellin. I don't eat from street vendors but I follow same suit here in the States. I think the only street vendor I ate from are Hot Dog Vendors..

panthdave Miami

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Atrevido (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 26, 2008, 05:28:

I got giardia in Barranquilla one time. Really awfull, just as described above. Also had to be treated when I got back to the US. In the mountains of western US it´s also called Beaver Fever. Hikers get it from drinking untreated water out of mountain streams where beaver have left scat.

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NCMike says on Jul 26, 2008, 07:17:

Ah how embarrassing. I spelled it wrong. Giardia. I think I spelled coincidence wrong too. Probably other things too! Webmanco is right about the salads and dehydration.

That first time I went to the doctor my blood pressure was really low, and they gave me a couple of IV bags of some kind of liquid. That disease takes water out of your system as soon as you drink it, it seems. Tom tom I'm really sorry the Flagyl didn't work for you. I can't imagine living with that for 6 months.

I know that the locals drink from the tap with no problem in many cities. I went to a Juan Valdez in Cali and saw them make me a smoothie with water from the tap. I drank it anyway, but with some hesitation. But if you drink coffee, or just about anything, it will have water from the tap in it. I suppose for coffee at least the water gets heated up. My ex suegra in Cali boils water from the tap then transfers it to a pitcher and puts it in the fridge. Other people in Cali just drink it no problem.

I'm sure people can contract this in many places in the world and in the US too, as mentioned above. I didn't write about this as a criticism of Colombia. I have other things to write about later as I LOVE this country and have been here 5 or 6 times in spite of this.... problemita. I guess my point was to be ready for it if it happens to you, and don't let it ruin your vacation as it did my first trip here.

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Gringo Spy says on Jul 26, 2008, 08:31:

Having lived in a "third world" country for most of the past six years I often find myself defending the water quality system in the city in which I live. It has a state-of-the-art water treatment plant which receives its water supply from eight spring fed wells. Time and time again I read blogs from tourist regarding their getting sick from the drinking "water". Many are quick to blame the water but they forget there are countless other sources which may be the cause of the illness, typically Diarrhea, possibly Giardia.

For example: Accidentally putting something into your mouth or swallowing something that has come into contact with feces of a person or animal infected with Giardia. Swallowing recreational water contaminated with Giardia (Recreational water includes water in swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis, fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams that can be contaminated with sewage or feces from humans or animals). Eating uncooked food contaminated with Giardia. Accidentally swallowing Giardia picked up from surfaces (such as bathroom fixtures, changing tables, diaper pails, or toys) contaminated with feces from an infected person. Even things like coins, doorknobs, stair railings, elevator buttons etc. can be a source of the infection.

Another common cause of people traveling in a foreign country coming down with a case of Diarrhea is the fact they are eating new and strange new foods (typically in excess!) they drink more than they normally do and often times don't get the necessary rest so their body lacks its natural defense mechanisms.

So moral of the story is don't be so quick to blame the "water" and do take normal precautions regarding personal hygiene and maybe wash your hands more than you normally are accustomed to.

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webmanco says on Jul 26, 2008, 08:34:

could it be somehow related to salmonela? which I understand comes usually from chicken and eggs.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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Gringo Spy says on Jul 26, 2008, 08:39:

How do people catch Salmonella?

Salmonella live in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals, including birds. Salmonella are usually transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with animal feces. Contaminated foods usually look and smell normal. Contaminated foods are often of animal origin, such as beef, poultry, milk, or eggs, but any food, including vegetables, may become contaminated. Thorough cooking kills Salmonella. Food may also become contaminated by the hands of an infected food handler who did not wash hands with soap after using the bathroom.

Salmonella may also be found in the feces of some pets, especially those with diarrhea, and people can become infected if they do not wash their hands after contact with pets or pet feces. Reptiles, such as turtles, lizards, and snakes, are particularly likely to harbor Salmonella. Many chicks and young birds carry Salmonella in their feces. People should always wash their hands immediately after handling a reptile or bird, even if the animal is healthy. Adults should also assure that children wash their hands after handling a reptile or bird, or after touching its environment.

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 26, 2008, 09:04:

GS, you are correct. I do not know that it was the water. However, given the circumstances and given that I had lived in that apartment for over three years, I believe with 95% certainty that it was the water.

And, frankly, I don't know that I have giardia. I am no gastroenterologist, but my guess is that it is some kind of antibiotic-resistant bug that I got from the water. By the way, very few people that I know who live in Cartagena will drink the tap water. I would never, under any circumstances, attempt to defend the water quality in Cartagena.

I have been living in Medellín for over a year and drink the tap water there with no problem.

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robi666 (Trustee board) says on Jul 26, 2008, 09:23:

"Six months later, I am still running to the bathroom 20 to 30 times a day. "

So that's why you're posting more on PBH lately... :)

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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NCMike says on Jul 26, 2008, 09:28:

I'll buy that, GS. This year I've only been to Cali and Bogota, and those are modern cities where I believe the water system should be OK, so perhaps it wasn't the water. As I said, I really tried to avoid the water so my next guess would be the produce or food preparation in some of the places I ate. I don't drink, so I can't blame the rumba, but I wasn't talking about ordinary diarrhea. The ordinary supermarkets here facinate me, as there is more variety and more FRESH food here than in the US. We tend to think the opposite, that a rich country like US would have all the food. I thought my Harris Teeter in Charlotte had it all, but the Carulla or even some of the corner markets have things I haven't even seen before. So perhaps I get exposure to bacteria in fresh produce or who knows what. By the way, sometimes it seems the food here has more flavor than in US. Maybe the meats here aren't frozen necessarily right after the butcher cuts it, the produce looks like it was picked riper and it probably came from not so far away, unlike in the US.

As an aside, I was watching a movie on TV with my friend one night, it was Mr. and Ms. Jones with Brad Pitt and ..... Anyway, as the movie opens, the couple is talking to a marriage counselor and recounting how they met. They said the met in Bogota and go to a flashback scene. The scene of Bogota is of some country house with chickens running around inside the house, maybe even a dirt floor. That is so stupid!!!!! This city is huge, and I'm always struck by how solid the construction is. Tile floors, granite countertops, even in some modest areas. A comparable apt. in US would be waaaay expensive.

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Gringo Spy says on Jul 26, 2008, 09:32:

tt33, I too drink the tap water in Medellin. Great taste (no aftertaste) and it looks great in a clear glass. Can't remember if I drank the tap water while in Cartagena last year, most likely I didn't. To date, after over a half dozen trips to Colombia, I've been fortunate not to come in contact with any bugs. Maybe it's that my system has become exposed to various bugs over the years and I've built up some sort of immunity, not really sure but, knock on wood, I've been bug free for several years now.

(note: my comment above regarding drinking the "water" wasn't necessarily directed at you, it was more a general statement for all readers. I hope you find the cause of your illness soon I can't imagine being infected for that length of time)

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sloopskipper says on Jul 26, 2008, 09:43:

Flagyl (Metronidazole) is not without potential side effects, and not something I would use without medical supervision.

My wife suffered from C. difficile. After Cipro proved ineffective to control it, she was prescribed Flagyl. The treatment resulted in increased diarrhea (that is what she was being treated for), extreme nausea and, visual spatial displacement (double vision).

The visual problem did not subside after the med was discontinued and she needed to have prism added to a new eyeglass prescription to restore normal vision.

The possibility of a visual side effect is not mentioned in some documentation.

http://www.medicinenet.com/metronidazole/article.htm

http://xpil.medicines.org.uk/ViewPil.aspx?DocID=18112

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tasco66 says on Jul 26, 2008, 09:50:

sloopskipper sorry to hear that. It seems to be a very rare side effect

Not being bound to swear to the dogmas of any master

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sloopskipper says on Jul 26, 2008, 10:07:

I’m sure that you are right tasco, and that's why it is not often mentioned. But the infectious disease doc picked up on it immediately.

“Can Not Tolerate Flagyl " was posted on the jacket of her chart. Luckily I caught their attempt to re-administer it as she was being prepped for emergency surgery.

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 26, 2008, 10:13:

Damn straight about those side effects of Metronidalzole. I did a 250 mg. course, then two 500 mg. courses back-to-back, then a 750 mg. course. Fortunately I had no vision problems, but I got extremely dragged out and depressed.

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sloopskipper says on Jul 26, 2008, 10:34:

Antibiotics are nothing to play with, or to use to generally self medicate.

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ronaldo says on Jul 26, 2008, 12:37:

It has always amazed me that more people do not get sick in Colombia because of the fact that most meat is not referigated at all. I had occasion to travel to a relatives home of my girlfriend in the mountians. Hiking there across rivers and such as there were no roads. House was many many years old with dirt walls and dirt floor no windows with glass or screens and a thached roof. Kitchen stove was made of clay with logs 10 feet long shoved in from outside for heating and cooking. We had chicken which was buchered on a chopping block (tree stump) that was obiously used for this purpose for the last 100 years with rice and beans grown on the farm. Meal was absoloutly delicious and to tell you truth I found it to be a very enlightning experience. So to end this story, I will only say that I would not trade my life in Colombia or experiences with Colombia or Colombians for anything. Viva Colombia.

Ronaldo

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NCMike says on Jul 26, 2008, 12:53:

I agree with the comments about not playing around with antibiotics. If I wasn't 99% sure that I had Giardia I wouldn't have taken it. You do feel a heaviness in your gut from that medicine. Luckily for me, I had no real problems with it. I was told however that I better not drink any alcoholic beverages or I would get nauseous and have serious pain. Since I don't really drink that wasn't a problem. But I have had unusual side effects from other antibiotics so I can believe that they are nothing to fool around with.

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Saltador says on Jul 26, 2008, 13:07:

I'm always very careful in Cartagena with what I eat and drink. I do not drink the tap water and only brush my teeth with bottled water. I won't eat salads or fruit, although I gamble soemtimes in restaurants with an occasional jugo de mango con leche. I too am surprised more people don't come down with something, the meat and fish are left un covered and un refrigerated way longer than US standards would allow.
After hearing of my buddy tomtom's plight, I will be extra careful. I had salmonella once and it was living hell, I'd almost rather have died. Hang in there tomtom and hopefully they'll figure out a way to get you healthy again.

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papiChulo says on Jul 26, 2008, 13:22:

rolando... I'm curious how long was the chicken dead for until he went in the pot?

btw... beer is always safe to drink... fermantation kills everything.

Saint Arnold - Patron Saint of Brewers;
He is said to have spent his life warning peasants about the health hazards of drinking water. Water was not necessarily safe to drink during the dark ages, especially around towns and villages. Nasty stuff. Arnold always had the well-being of his followers close at heart.

Beer, on the other hand, was quite safe. Arnold frequently pointed this out to his congregation. He is credited with having once said, "From man's sweat and God's love, beer came into the world." It goes without saying that the people loved and revered Arnold.

you know wot WC Fields said about water?... fish function in it... ;)

avoid the unhappy and the unlucky

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charlysito71 says on Jul 26, 2008, 14:56:

never had a problem with the water,but twice with salads, but what amazes me,how does the meat hanging next to the road all day in 80 degrees considered fresh ?

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Gringo Spy says on Jul 26, 2008, 16:12:

The "meat hanging next to the road all day" was freshly butchered locally that morning. Different scenario in the USA where the beef if butchered, aged and then shipped long distances via refrigerated trucks to your local grocery store.

I thought the same when I first moved from the USA to a "third world country" when I saw whole butchered chickens up on a counter in 90-degree weather. Here again the difference is the chicken is butchered that morning and then refrigerated. To display the chicken they put it out on the counter un-refrigerated but it is sold within minutes and if it's not they rotate it back into refrigeration with another chicken until it's eventually sold that same day.

For almost the first year I avoided buying my chicken from them and always purchased it a what we from the USA would consider a nice indoor butcher shop with packages of wrapped chicken in refrigerated aisles etc. It wasn't until I bought some chicken there one day, which I thought was fresh but quickly found out it wasn't that fresh (It went bad in my refrigerator after less than three days), that I stopped buying my chicken there and started buying it from the small hole-in-the-wall chicken stand. The hole-in-the-wall chicken tasted so much better than the butcher shop chicken I never went back. I then started to buy my meats from similar smaller street stands and quickly found out I had been buying from the wrong places for almost a year.

Similar story about eggs. I wondered how they could keep the eggs un-refrigerated without them going bad. In the USA there are stringent standards regarding the refrigeration of eggs, I was so conditioned by that I wouldn't buy any eggs. It wasn't until I was told the difference is eggs that are not refrigerated can be left un-refrigerated for some time that I started buying eggs again. The problem comes in when the eggs are put into refrigeration they have to continue to be refrigerated or they will spoil quickly. Now I’m not sure of the validity of this I’m simply passing on what I have been told. I do know however I have been eating un-refrigerated eggs for over five years without any problems.

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Sam Salmon says on Jul 26, 2008, 16:15:

I've contracted Giardia from municipal water systems here in Canada and it's present in almost all our wild freshwater resources now.

One of my Doctors contracted it in Indonesia, so you can rest assured that there is no escape no relief and that your time on earth is limited.

' a la orden!'

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Gringo Spy says on Jul 26, 2008, 16:16:

Sam, Sounds like your glass of water is half empty.

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papiChulo says on Jul 26, 2008, 16:33:

good to see your buying your food the right way now Gringo Spy... probably saving a bit of coin too not buying stale supermarket shit as well.

avoid the unhappy and the unlucky

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 26, 2008, 18:04:

Eat lots of yogurt, so you have good bacteria in your belly.

Feliz Navidad!

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Gringo Spy says on Jul 26, 2008, 18:09:

And for those who suffer from lactose intolerance?

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 26, 2008, 18:33:

I suffer from lactose intolerance, but yogurt is okay!

Feliz Navidad!

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vicshere says on Jul 26, 2008, 18:39:

Tom what you might have is IBS man

after a trip to Brazil many years ago i also got Giardia. which later lead to IBS which you keep for life.....then you learn to live very carfully with it

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irritable_bowel_syndrome

listo

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 26, 2008, 18:44:

Stress is the BIG trigger. When I am not stress, I can eat nails!

Feliz Navidad!

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Gringo Spy says on Jul 26, 2008, 18:45:

Lisa, for some strange reason I believe you! ;-)

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 27, 2008, 05:41:

Thanks, Vic. A Colombian gastroenterologist diagnosed ulcerative colitis after a colonoscopy. However, the prescribed treatment did not work. My US primary physician does not think that I have colitis. Hopefully the US gastroenterologists will have some ideas.

I have been wondering what kind of permanent damage may have been done.

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miamimike says on Jul 27, 2008, 07:54:

NCMike--Your Doc didn't do you any favor prescribing Cipro for Giardia! That Drug isn't listed anywhere in a US Formulary(big thick reference book pharmacist's consider their bible) as a Drug of first choice. Cipro is a Drug of Choice for Inhaled Anthrax(9/11 infamy). Cipro is a very Strong Drug with muscle-connective tissue side effects. Some who took the drug experienced severe side effects in muscle&connective tissue deterioration.

First time I ever heard of Giardia being spread by Fomites(inanimate surfaces like coins,door knobs ect) The science of the matter(disease transmission) has Giardia Trophozoite beinga pretty fragile bug once it meets air on a nonliving source such as a coin or doorknob.

http://www.medicinenet.com/giardia_lamblia/article.htm

Avatar Legend: Bush "If any of you Reporters are wondering, it was a Size 10"

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miamimike says on Jul 27, 2008, 07:58:

What is giardiasis?

Giardiasis (gee-ar-die-a-sis with a soft "G") is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the parasite, Giardia intestinalis, also known as Giardia lamblia. It is the most common cause of parasitic gastrointestinal disease, and it is estimated that up to 2.5 million cases of giardiasis occur each year in the US. Up to 20% of the world's population is chronically infected with Giardia lamblia.

Giardia lamblia exists in two forms, an active form called a trophozoite, and an inactive form called a cyst. The active trophozoite attaches to the lining of the small intestine with a “sucker�? and is responsible for causing the signs and symptoms of giardiasis. *****The trophozoite cannot live long outside of the body, therefore it cannot spread the infection to others. ******The inactive cyst, on the other hand, can exist for prolonged periods outside the body. When it is ingested, stomach acid activates the cyst, and the cyst develops into the disease-causing trophozoite. It takes ingestion of only ten cysts to cause infection. Trophozoites are important not only because they cause disease, they also produce cysts that exit the body in feces and spread infection to others.

Cysts of Giardia are present in the feces of infected persons. ******Thus, the infection can be spread from person to person by contamination of food with feces, or by direct fecal-oral contamination.********** Cysts also survive in water, for example in fresh water lakes and streams. As a result, giardiasis is the most common cause of water-borne, parasitic illness in the United States. Domestic mammals (for example, dogs, cats, calves) and wild mammals (for example, beavers) can become infected with Giardia; however, it is not clear how often domestic or wild mammals transmit giardiasis to humans. Giardiasis also has occurred as outbreaks from recreational water sources such as swimming pools, water parks, and hot tubs, most likely because of an infected user rather than a source of water that was contaminated

Avatar Legend: Bush "If any of you Reporters are wondering, it was a Size 10"

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miamimike says on Jul 27, 2008, 08:00:

What is giardiasis?

Giardiasis (gee-ar-die-a-sis with a soft "G") is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the parasite, Giardia intestinalis, also known as Giardia lamblia. It is the most common cause of parasitic gastrointestinal disease, and it is estimated that up to 2.5 million cases of giardiasis occur each year in the US. Up to 20% of the world's population is chronically infected with Giardia lamblia.

Giardia lamblia exists in two forms, an active form called a trophozoite, and an inactive form called a cyst. The active trophozoite attaches to the lining of the small intestine with a “sucker‿ and is responsible for causing the signs and symptoms of giardiasis.****** The trophozoite cannot live long outside of the body, therefore it cannot spread the infection to others.****** The inactive cyst, on the other hand, can exist for prolonged periods outside the body. When it is ingested, stomach acid activates the cyst, and the cyst develops into the disease-causing trophozoite. It takes ingestion of only ten cysts to cause infection. Trophozoites are important not only because they cause disease, they also produce cysts that exit the body in feces and spread infection to others.

Cysts of Giardia are present in the feces of infected persons. ****Thus, the infection can be spread from person to person by contamination of food with feces, or by direct fecal-oral contamination.**** Cysts also survive in water, for example in fresh water lakes and streams. As a result, giardiasis is the most common cause of water-borne, parasitic illness in the United States. Domestic mammals (for example, dogs, cats, calves) and wild mammals (for example, beavers) can become infected with Giardia; however, it is not clear how often domestic or wild mammals transmit giardiasis to humans. Giardiasis also has occurred as outbreaks from recreational water sources such as swimming pools, water parks, and hot tubs, most likely because of an infected user rather than a source of water that was contaminated

Avatar Legend: Bush "If any of you Reporters are wondering, it was a Size 10"

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miamimike says on Jul 27, 2008, 08:21:

How is giardiasis treated? From above link:

The most common treatment for giardiasis is metronidazole (Flagyl) for 5-10 days. It eradicates the Giardia more than 85% of the time, but it often causes gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and a metallic taste as well as dizziness and headache. Despite its effectiveness, metronidazole is not approved by the FDA in the US for treatment of giardiasis.

The only drug approved for treating giardiasis in the U.S. is furazolidone (Furoxone) for 7-10 days. It is approximately as effective as metronidazole. Tinidazole is available outside the U.S. and is highly effective at treatinggiardiasis(>90%). It also can be given as a single dose and is well tolerated. Quinacrine is very effective for treating giardiasis but is no longer available in the U.S. Paromomycin and albendazole, though effective, are less effective than other treatments.

Occasionally, treatment fails to eradicate Giardia. In such cases, the drug may be changed or a longer duration or higher dose may be used. Combination therapy also may be effective (e.g., quinacrine and metronidazole).

Avatar Legend: Bush "If any of you Reporters are wondering, it was a Size 10"

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Gringo Spy says on Jul 27, 2008, 08:24:

Giardia can in fact be spread by inanimate surfaces as detailed by the CDC (Center for Disease Control, see link below).

"Accidentally swallowing Giardia picked up from surfaces (such as bathroom fixtures, changing tables, diaper pails, or toys) contaminated with feces from an infected person."

I interpret this to mean 'any' inanimate surface, coins, doorknobs etc. contaminated with feces can be a source for Giardia.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/Giardiasis/factsht_giardia.htm

"(How do you get giardiasis and how is it spread?

The Giardia parasite lives in the intestine of infected humans or animals. Millions of germs can be released in a bowel movement from an infected human or animal. Giardia is found in soil, food, water, or surfaces that have been contaminated with the feces from infected humans or animals. You can become infected after accidentally swallowing the parasite; you cannot become infected through contact with blood. Giardia can be spread by:

Accidentally putting something into your mouth or swallowing something that has come into contact with feces of a person or animal infected with Giardia.
Swallowing recreational water contaminated with Giardia. Recreational water includes water in swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis, fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams that can be contaminated with sewage or feces from humans or animals.
Eating uncooked food contaminated with Giardia.
Accidentally swallowing Giardia picked up from surfaces (such as bathroom fixtures, changing tables, diaper pails, or toys) contaminated with feces from an infected person."

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papiChulo says on Jul 27, 2008, 09:13:

LOL

avoid the unhappy and the unlucky

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NCMike says on Jul 27, 2008, 09:23:

haha funny vic. Miamimike.... I wondered why my doc would give me cipro, I remember the anthrax scare from a while back and associated cipro with that. I think he said Cipro was a good general purpose antibiotic that would kill lots of bad bacteria in case I got some other problems that weren't necessarily Giardia.

The funny thing was.... in Cali... I went online the morning of my extreme hell, (between bathroom trips), and read the same info posted above. That's how I got the name of Methadozone so the guy I sent would know what to ask for. I suspected it wouldn't be called Flagyl in Colombia. Well, you know how the custom in Colombia lots of times the pharmacist tries to sell you more stuff, they guy came back with Methadozone like I had asked, but also with Cipro (Yes I already had Cipro from my doctor). The pharmacist told my friend that I was supposed to take the Methadozone to kill the parasites, but I was to take the Cipro to kill the infection. I thought that was way too much antibiotic, and just took the Flagyl (Methadozone). So know I have extra Cipro!!

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minina says on Jul 27, 2008, 09:34:

If you are in Medellin and it's sorroundings drink as much tap water as you like, for is the best water there is in Colombia, and one of the best in Latin America. I think is fairly safe to drink tap water in Bogota, I have never really stayed in Bogota for more than a few days. When you go to the coast, Santa Marta, Barranquilla, Cartagena and all the towns around, DO NOT drink, I repeat DO NOT DRINK any water, and If you are gonna eat outside try to check out the sanitary conditions of the place.
It is known throughout Colombia that the quality of the water in "la costa" sucks big time.

DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS...

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vicshere says on Jul 27, 2008, 09:40:

good thing about antibiotics is ....if you take too much your body just disposes it

listo

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 27, 2008, 11:00:

Go to a pharmacy and "tiendas vegetarianas", and buy "MINERALIN" Medicamentos Homeopaticops!,
It is VERY INEXPENSIVE!!!!!!... One good one I recommend is "APIUM". There is a medication for anything you can think of!!!!!. They come in a bottle of 30ml.

All homeopathic remedies, are excellent and very effective.

Check.....MINERALIN. I use about 10 of their products!

Feliz Navidad!

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vicshere says on Jul 27, 2008, 11:51:

anything?? even hemorrhoids and piles

listo

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 27, 2008, 12:22:

Yes, "Diente de Leon"& some other ones. Mineralin even has something like VIAGRA! it is called: "Agnus"= "Ayuda en impotencia, y en disminución del impulso sexual"
100% natural and it sells like crazy!

Feliz Navidad!

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vicshere says on Jul 27, 2008, 13:16:

agnus dont like the sound of that...sounds too much like anal

listo

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elchantajista says on Jul 27, 2008, 16:58:

I got really sick in Venz. due to tap water i had to go the doctor when i returned to EE UU. I started drinking wine with my meals when i traveled and it really cut down my diarrhea

anda de parranda al Juanchito "Vicente"

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dwmte7 says on Jul 27, 2008, 17:35:

years ago, the alchemists came up with a potent cure...two of them actually, enterovioform and lomatil. don't leave home with out em.

dwmte

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Gator says on Jul 27, 2008, 18:34:

How to avoid Girardia!!! Do NOT return her telephone calls.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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