Giardiasis
Home Treatment
If you think that you have giardiasis and you develop diarrhea, prompt medical treatment can ease your symptoms. Supportive care at home will also make you more comfortable while you are being treated.
Self-care for diarrhea
The following will help you deal with a bout of diarrhea and avoid dehydration:
- Rest your stomach. Drink only clear liquids until you begin to feel better. But if your diarrhea lasts longer than 24 hours, take frequent sips of a rehydration drink (such as Lytren, Rehydralyte, Pedialyte) to prevent dehydration. Try to drink a cup of water or rehydration drink (slowly) for each large, loose stool.
- Since having diarrhea can sometimes help you recover sooner from a problem (especially if it is due to a viral infection), avoid antidiarrheal medicines for the first 6 hours. Use them after that time only if cramping and discomfort continue and there are no other signs of illness, such as fever.
- Begin eating bland foods, such as rice, dry toast or crackers, bananas, and applesauce the next day or sooner, depending on how you feel. Avoid spicy foods, other fruits, alcohol, and coffee for 2 days and dairy products for 3 days after all symptoms have disappeared.
- Children with diarrhea, especially those younger than 4 years old, need special attention to avoid dehydration. Try giving smaller portions of food and liquids at frequent intervals. For older children, give 0.5 cup (120 ml) to 1 cup (240 ml) of rehydration drink each hour, and offer mild foods described above. Pedialyte Freezer Pops may also be helpful.
- Continue an infant's regular breast milk or formula feeding as much as possible. If you are feeding formula, it may help to switch to a soy milk formula for a short period of time.
- Supplement feedings with small sips or spoonfuls of a rehydration drink every few minutes. Do not give undiluted sports drinks, soda pop, or fruit juice. These contain too much sugar and not enough electrolytes, which are important nutrients lost through diarrhea.
Digestive problems after treatment for giardiasis
Some people with symptoms of giardiasis will have temporary difficulty digesting milk and milk products (lactase deficiency). This can cause symptoms similar to those of giardia infection, such as diarrhea, a lot of gas, and cramping. The problem can last for up to 1 month after treatment for giardiasis.
If you develop this problem while being treated for giardiasis, avoid milk and milk products for at least 1 month. Then gradually add them back into your diet as your body can handle them.
Babies or toddlers who had giardiasis may stop eating or fail to grow as expected. It can take a few weeks for them to get back to normal after treatment. Generally, giardia infection does not cause any permanent problems for children or adults.
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| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS | Last Updated: October 16, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease | |
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