giardiasis aka beaver fever

GiardiasisGiardiasisakaaka

Beaver FeverBeaver Fever

By: Andrew MarmoBy: Andrew Marmo

SourcesSources►The MERK ManualThe MERK Manual►Google ImagesGoogle Images►http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

pubmedhealth/PMH0001333pubmedhealth/PMH0001333

CauseCause►Giardiasis is an infection of Giardiasis is an infection of

the small intestine caused by the small intestine caused by Giardia lambliaGiardia lamblia, a single-, a single-celled parasite.celled parasite.

Giardia lambliaGiardia lamblia

TransmissionTransmission►Giardiasis is caused by ingestion of Giardiasis is caused by ingestion of

infective cysts. Usually contracted by infective cysts. Usually contracted by drinking water containing cysts.drinking water containing cysts.

►3 modes3 modes host-to-hosthost-to-host water-bornewater-borne and venerealand venereal

Vector/ReservoirsVector/Reservoirs►Giardia has no vector. It can survive in Giardia has no vector. It can survive in

cold water without a host for several cold water without a host for several months.months.

► It is found in humans, and a wide It is found in humans, and a wide variety of other aquatic and semi-variety of other aquatic and semi-aquatic mammals such as beavers, aquatic mammals such as beavers, muskrats, and other small rodents.muskrats, and other small rodents.

► It is also found in some varieties of It is also found in some varieties of birds. birds.

Cyst and Cyst and TrophozoiteTrophozoite

SymptomsSymptoms►Gastrointestinal symptoms such as Gastrointestinal symptoms such as

abdominal cramps, watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, watery diarrhea, vomiting, and fever which may last for vomiting, and fever which may last for 3–4 days.3–4 days.

►Other symptoms include loss of Other symptoms include loss of appetite, malaise, and fatigue. appetite, malaise, and fatigue.

SeveritySeverity►Giardiasis is usually self-limiting, Giardiasis is usually self-limiting,

although the infection can be although the infection can be prolonged in hosts who have a weak prolonged in hosts who have a weak immune system, or who have immune system, or who have decreased gastric acid secretion.decreased gastric acid secretion.

► It can also be deadly to hosts with It can also be deadly to hosts with compromised immune systems like compromised immune systems like the elderly or AIDS patients.the elderly or AIDS patients.

PreventionPrevention► Boil stream or lake Boil stream or lake

water if your in the water if your in the woods. You never woods. You never know what’s up know what’s up stream.stream.

► ALWAYS WASH ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS!YOUR HANDS!