Giardia

Symptoms usually start 7 to 10 days after being infected. They usually last between 3 and 4 days.

The symptoms include:

• diarrhoea
• stomach pain or cramp
• feeling sick and throwing up (vomiting)
• a slight fever.

Many people do not get any symptoms.

Giardia is diagnosed from a poo (faeces) sample.

If the tests find the giardia infection, your healthcare provider will report this to the local public health team. They may contact you for more information. This is to help stop the infection spreading further.

Giardia is treated by a course of antibiotics. You should also rest and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. See the self care section on the gastroenteritis page for more details.

Gastroenteritis (internal link)

You should see your healthcare provider if:

• you have bloody diarrhoea
• you have a fever
• your symptoms have not gone away after 7 days.

You should also see your healthcare provider if you are very unwell or if you have a weakened immune system.

You should take your tamaiti (child) to your healthcare provider if they:

• are not drinking
• are passing less wee (urine) than usual
• have a dry mouth or sunken eyes
• seem drowsy.

To reduce the risk of spreading the infection, it is important to have good hand hygiene. This includes washing your hands with soap and water, especially after using the toilet.

Keep your hands clean: Healthy habits (internal link)

Try to avoid preparing food if you have giardia. If you do prepare food, make sure you wash and dry your hands well first. Follow food safety advice.

Preparing and storing food safely at home — New Zealand Food Safety (external link)

Stay away from work, community gatherings and school or preschool until you or your tamaiti (child) have been free of symptoms for 48 hours. This includes the last time you had diarrhoea.

You should wait for at least 2 weeks after the last episode of diarrhoea before you go swimming in a pool.