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Giardiasis

Information for people who have been diagnosed as having Giardiasis

What is causing my illness?

Your illness has been caused by an infection of the small bowel by Giardia Lamblia. Giardia as identified by tests on the faecal sample that you gave to your doctor. After ingestion Giardia passes through the body and infects the small bowel where it produces cysts which are eventually excreted in the faeces.

Why is the Environmental Health Department involved?

Many infectious disease are notifiable by your doctor to the Environmental Health Department at Fareham Borough Council for investigation. There are three reasons for the investigation:

  1. To prevent further spread of the disease in the community.
  2. To take appropriate precautions should people working in the food trade be involved.
  3. To try and establish where a patient picked up the disease.

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Where did I pick up the illness?

There are many possible places where you may have picked up the infection. for example you may have drank or been in contact with contaminated water (eg swimming pools and rivers). This is more likely in some developing countries.

 

You will need to think back over the past 6 to 22 days before you become ill to identify a possible source of infection.

What are the symptoms of this illness?

Symptoms normally start 6 to 22 days after infection and they include severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps, bloating, tiredness and weight loss.

 

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Can I pass it on to other people?

All forms of diarrhoea should be regarded as infectious, but usually it is only passed on to other people if personal hygiene is poor or from contaminated drinking water (this is more likely abroad in some developing countries).

Can I go to work, school, nursery etc?

Yes. There is no quarantine period even while you have the symptoms. However with severe cases you may be too ill to go to work, school etc for a while.

 

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But how do I prevent spreading the bacteria to my family and friends?

The key to this is good personal hygiene.

  1. Wash your hands frequently throughout the day particularly:-
    • after using the toilet
    • before you prepare and serve food
  2. Thorough hand washing with soap and hot water and drying is the most important factor in preventing spread of infection.
  3. Do not share towels.
  4. Ensure that the toilet is flushed after each use.
  5. The toilet seat, flush handle, wash hand basin and taps should be cleaned daily or more frequently depending on how often they are used. After use, the toilet seat should be wiped with a diluted disinfectant.
  6. Any soiled or dirty clothing or bed linen should be washed in a domestic washing machine on a hot wash cycle.
  7. Uncooked, unwashed fruit and salads should be avoided where the infection rate is high. Care should be taken where the water supply is suspect.

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Important information

Should your symptoms persist you should return to your doctor.

Further information

Further information can be found on the following website:

Should you require any further information or advice on this matter, please contact:

 

Fareham Borough Council
Environmental Health Department
Health & Regulatory Services
Civic Offices, Civic Way
Fareham
Hampshire
PO16 7AZ

 

Telephone: 01329 236100
E-mail: regulatory@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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