Where does Giardia come from?
Studies have also shown that, unlike many other pathogens, Giardia is not host specific. This means that Giardia cysts excreted by animals can infect and cause illness in humans. Giardia is found in water which has been infected with the stool or feces of infected animals or humans. Outside of the body, Giardia is protected by an outer shell called a cyst. In this form, Giardia can survive for long periods of time. To become infected, a person must eat or drink food or water which contains the Giardia cysts. A common source of infection is water from springs or rivers which is contaminated with the feces of animals. Giardia cysts are far harder to kill with chlorine or iodine than bacteria or viruses. When viable cysts enter the digestive tract, they form active parasites, feed, and multiply. More cysts are passed in the individual’s stool making it contagious if bathroom hygiene is lax. What are the symptoms of Giardia infection? A few people may harbor the infection and have no sympt
