Giardiasis

Written by: Muhammad Nasir Sirat

Giardia is a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal illness known as giardiasis and it is found on surfaces or in soil, food, or water that has been contaminated with feces from infected humans or animals. AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some patients and a physician about Giardia.

A woman from Tagab district, Kapisa province says, “I have eaten vegetables in my dinner. In the middle of the night, I suffered from nausea, vomiting, and headache. My husband brought me to the hospital for treatment.”

Maiwand, a resident of Farza district, Kabul province says, “I am suffering from giardia. I feel fatigued and weak and I always sweat.”

 Infectious diseases specialist, Doctor Nisar Ahmad Safi says, “For those who do get sick, signs and symptoms usually appear one to three weeks after exposure and might include watery diarrhea that might alternate with soft, greasy stools; fatigue or malaise; abdominal cramps and bloating and this disease lasts about 4 weeks. If not treated on time, the patient might face some crucial problems including the death of the patient.”

What do people think about the causes of giardia?

Tajuddin, a resident of Paghman district, Kabul province says, “I don’t know about the causes of giardia but I think contaminated fruits and contaminated vegetables might cause this giardia.”

Masoom, a resident of Shakardara district, Kabul province says, “Many children are swimming in the stream of our village and our villagers drink contaminated water of the mentioned stream, and they suffer from diarrhea and some other diseases.”

Doctor Safi says, “Giardia parasite is transmitted to humans in three ways, consumption and drinking of contaminated water and the most common way of transmission of this parasite is, contaminated water (Water of streams, ponds, and pools). Second, the consumption of contaminated food, when a person cooks food, if her/him contaminated hands are touched with raw materials, this parasite enters the food and causes users to get this disease. Third eating stale foods.”

How do people treat giardia?

Obaidullah says, “When I feel that giardia has entered into my body, I eat soft foods and drink more liquids and if I suffer from diarrhea, I go to the doctor for essential treatment.”

Masouda says, “Our family members drink more water but as giardiasis is a dangerous disease if any of us suffer from it, we go to a doctor for treatment.”

Doctor Safi says, “These patients should use more liquids and soft foods, vegetable soup, soft-cooked rice, they should solve ORS powder in water and drink it because of dehydration of their body, but it is necessary to go to the health center for essential treatment.”