Giardiasis is a diarrheal disease caused by the microscopic parasite Giardia. People contract the parasite through feces (human or animal) contaminated water and food.
According to an article published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, the authors write that although most individuals with a Giardia infection are asymptomatic, this pathogen is increasingly recognized as a cause of pathologies beyond the classical manifestations, including a significantly increased risk of both irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic fatigue (CF), even 6 years after the infection.
In the article they cite their analysis of the incidence of IBS without diarrhea in the departments of Colombia during 2013 where departments with higher giardiasis incidence had higher reported IBS.
They say that physicians need to be aware of the potential sequelae of Giardia infection, to alert their patients of the possible importance of reporting a previous Giardia exposure when presenting for treatment if CF or IBS symptoms develop.
Much more research is required concerning the long term sequelae of giardiasis, the authors add.
Related:
Hello, I am wondering if anyone can offer me any help on a microscopic infection I have. I have larvae in my sinsuses, skin, urinary bladder, intestines,… just about any place you mention… the infection is all over my body. Due to the nature of tropical diseases being neglected, no one wants to believe me. I have isolated myself as I believe these things to be contagious. These things looks like Giardia as I saw three of them on my tongue while going to see a doctor. I have collected samples coming out from my body on the floor and sent them to parasitogist doctor M.D. and he states that they think they are flies. No eggs in feces can be detected as a number of tests conducted. When other infectious disease doctors find this result, they declare, I am ok. I know this is not the case. I have had them crawling all over me. I am taking salt baths and this is helpful. It seems to temporarily kill them and/or get the insects to stay inside of the human body. Help please?