Who gets giardia?
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. What are the symptoms? Giardia infection can cause a variety of intestinal symptoms, whi
