The bloating and cramps may make it difficult to walk, so don’t plan on any hikes or being too active until you’re back to full health. Consider postponing any holidays if you get giardiasis because you’ll likely be too uncomfortable to enjoy the trip. If you’re out of your house shopping or doing errands, always carry some wet wipes in case you have to use a toilet that doesn’t have any toilet paper.
Be especially careful washing your hands after changing diapers or picking up pet feces. Always make a habit of washing your hands with soap and water before eating or preparing food.
Some walking and light housework is fine, but take a break from the gym and other vigorous physical activities until you feel much better and stronger.
In addition to water, drinking some fresh fruit / veggie juice is important to replenish your electrolytes (mineral salts), which are lost with diarrhea and vomiting. You can add a pinch of salt and half a teaspoon of honey or one teaspoon of sugar to an eight ounce glass of fruit juice. This will make your fluid replacement even easier to tolerate. Avoid fizzy drinks and anything with alcohol or caffeine until you’re feeling healthy. Symptoms of dehydration include: dry mouth, thirst, tiredness, headache, dizziness, reduced urination and increased heartbeat. [5] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Children with diarrhea are more susceptible to dehydration than adults are. Hydration is a really important part of managing mild diarrhea. If you can’t intake all the hydration you need orally, you may need an IV to help replenish your fluids. If you think that you may need an IV, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
Until you’re feeling better, avoid fried foods, fatty and overly spicy foods. Avoid dairy products because you may have some degree of lactose intolerance that aggravates intestinal symptoms caused by giardiasis. Don’t eat too much fresh fruit or veggies (especially cauliflower, onions and cabbage), because it can lead to even more gas, bloating and abdominal cramping. Snack on foods that can help your body get rid of parasites, such as pumpkin seeds, pomegranates, papaya, beets and carrots.
Other herbs sometimes used to kill parasites include grapefruit seed extract, fresh cloves, olive leaf extract and garlic. Some herbs used to treat intestinal parasites can interfere with certain medications, so use them only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. Never take an herb to treat giardiasis instead of a prescribed treatment. Talk to your doctor about any herbs you intend to take. Be aware that barberry may decrease the effectiveness of antibiotics and grapefruit seed extract can interact poorly with many medications.
As a rule, it takes 3 different stool samples to diagnose 90% of Giardia cases. Lab technicians look for a high concentration of either spores or trophozoites. Staining might not be sufficient to identify Giardia because variable concentration levels can make people sick — some people are more sensitive to the parasite than others.
While you’re on intravenous, you can also be given glucose and various essential vitamins, which can give you more energy and reduce your mental fog. An intravenous session typically lasts a few hours, although you may need to stay overnight(s) if your dehydration and/or malnourishment is severe. You may be given some oral rehydration solution to take home — they typically contain electrolytes and glucose dissolved in water.
The most common antibiotic used to combat giardiasis is metronidazole (Flagyl) — it has an efficacy rate of between 75-100%, but it often causes nausea and a metallic taste as side effects. [10] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Tinidazole (Tindamax) may work even better than metronidazole for giardiasis and it can be given in a single dose, but it also causes some side effects. Nitazoxanide (Alinia) comes as a liquid and may be easier for children to swallow and tolerate. Paromomycin and albendazole are less effective medications for giardiasis, but still sometimes used.
Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicines include loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol). Bismuth subsalicylate can also be used to treat nausea and vomiting. A stronger prescription anti-diarrheal is called Lomotil, although it must be taken as soon as you start experiencing diarrhea.
