What causes of giardiasis?

Giardia lamblia

Giardiasis is caused by a parasite called Giardia lamblia. After being ingested, it travels through your system and lives in your intestines.¹ The organism is passed out of your body during bowel movements and it can survive in water, soil, or food and on surfaces.²

Giardia parasites have been found on hard surfaces such as stainless steel and Formica^® in day care centers.³ They can also stay alive in water for up to 3 months and withstand the normal amounts of chlorine used in pools and water purification systems.¹

You can get giardiasis by accidentally swallowing or putting something in your mouth that has been contaminated by feces from an infected person.^2,3

For example, you could get sick if you:

• Ingest contaminated water from a lake or pool
• Swallow Giardia parasites after touching a door handle, diaper pail, or other surface that has come in contact with fecal matter from an infected person

Giardiasis risk factors

Certain people have a higher risk of getting giardiasis than others.^2,4 These include:

• Travelers to areas where the disease is common
• Children in daycare
• Family members, household members, or day care members of an infected person
• People who ingest contaminated drinking water
• People who swallow contaminated water from lakes, rivers, or pools
• Hikers, backpackers, or other individuals involved in outdoor activities who drink untreated water or don't practice good hygiene
• People who have contact with infected animals
• Men who have sex with men