How is lamblia passed from person to person? Possible causes of infection with giardiasis and methods of treatment

Giardiasis is a common disease among all categories of the population. It causes parasites - Giardia. At its core, this pathology does not refer to serious diseases, but it causes a number of complications. Before you know how lamblia is transmitted, you need to understand that getting this disease is very easy. This is its main danger.

Most of the infected have been identified among children, but in the adult environment, the disease is also common. People who are faced with this problem, are wondering about how lamblias are passed from person to person, because they could not find other reasons for the development of pathology. In fact, the main prerequisite for infection is the neglect of personal hygiene rules.

Causes of Giardiasis

The answer to the question whether lamblia is passed from person to person is positive, but with some clarification. You will not become infected with direct contact with the parasite carrier. The ways of penetration of lamblia into the body are as follows:

• Through contaminated water. This is the main way of lamblia penetration into the body. Cysts can be in the water for a very long time, after which they can settle in the human body. If you drink raw water that is not treated with a filter, you can assume that you picked up the disease almost immediately. Water must be cleaned. The best option is to boil it. High temperatures completely destroy lamblia cysts.
• Lamblias can be picked up if you eat unwashed vegetables and fruits, poorly thermally processed meat.
• The contact path of infection is the answer to the question of how lamblia is transmitted from person to person. You can become a carrier of parasites if you use someone else's dishes, linens and other items. In addition, a rare wash of hands is the direct route to infection. Scientists have proved that children who are used to gnawing their nails are much more likely to suffer from giardiasis.

There are also myths about the ways of transferring lamblia. They need to know.

Myths about infection with Giardiasis

There is an opinion that lamblia from cats are transmitted to a person. The truth is in this statement. However, the animal can not infect you. Parasites, the carrier of which is a cat, can get into the water, after which they become infected by a person. Moreover, lamblia can also be transmitted to the animal from its host. Observe the rules of personal hygiene in contact with the cat's tray, so as not to be afraid of infection.

Also often people do not know if lamblia is transmitted with kisses. The answer to this question is positive, when it comes to kissing animals. It is desirable to avoid such manifestations of feelings. But if you think that lamblia are transmitted with a kiss between people, you are mistaken. In human saliva cysts are not ways to survive, so do not be afraid of infection.

It is necessary to know that if you get into the body lamblia does not immediately begin a full-fledged life. Their development goes through several stages.

Stages of development of Giardiasis

Infection occurs in this way:

• Cysts lamblia from the outside world fall into the body.
• Parasites begin to feed. Usually they use decay products.
• Lamblias from the small intestine turn into thick.
• When parasites find an advantageous place to live, they stay there, feeding on their carrier.

If the lamblia accidentally falls into the external environment, she can live without the owner for no more than two months.

In a state of cyst, this parasite can exist for several decades, while retaining the ability to live. Therefore, these organisms are so much in the environment.

Signs of infection

Both the adults and children should know about the way lamblia is transmitted, so as to protect themselves from infection if possible. However, if, by coincidence, lamblia still managed to penetrate the body, it is necessary to know on what grounds it can be determined.

It is easiest to detect giardiasis in the first week after infection. During this period, the signs have a vivid character. These include:

• Diarrhea and upset stomach.
• Body temperature slightly increases.
• Lethargy and strong weakness.
• Constant feeling of fatigue.
• A sharp drop in immunity.
• Problems with the sleep cycle.
• Sharp loss of appetite.
• Constant migraine.

These symptoms are characteristic of the acute form of the disease. There is also a chronic stage of pathology, in which such signs are observed:

• The skin becomes pale, loses its tone, elasticity and elasticity. This happens because the body loses a lot of nutrients necessary to maintain skin health.
• The oral cavity changes in color, becomes lighter.
• The skin of the face becomes uneven, possibly the appearance of spots.
• The skin begins to peel off. Other dermatological problems are possible.

The acute stage is accompanied by frequent changes of mood, loss of efficiency, irritability and nervousness.

The chronic form of the disease is much more difficult to detect. This can be done on such signs as skin problems and weight loss.

Vomiting, indigestion, constipation and bloating may also occur. Pay special attention to the liver. If the area where this organ is located is slightly pressed with the hand, then in the presence of lamblia, pain or discomfort can occur in the body.

Diagnosis of the disease

If you understand how lamblia is transmitted, then you probably already realized that a routine examination will not help with the diagnosis. Here you need a laboratory study. To identify this disease, a special analysis for lamblia has been developed. It helps to find out whether antibodies to the cysts of these parasites are present in the body. If they are found in the blood, the diagnosis is confirmed if their absence is revealed, giardiasis is not the right verdict.

In particularly severe or controversial cases, doctors prescribe duodenoscopy. This study gives a more accurate result. It is based on the fact that the internal structure of the intestine is studied together with all the organisms living in it.

After diagnosis, the doctor prescribes appropriate treatment.

Treatment of Giardiasis

You can not take spontaneous decisions in the treatment of Giardiasis. Many people immediately after the diagnosis begin to take drugs that fight against parasites. This can not be done categorically, as lamblia massively die, as a result of which the body is overfilled with toxic substances.

Usually, doctors prescribe drugs to improve immunity, eliminate intoxication and normalize bowel functioning. Such treatment lasts about 14 days.

After this, the patient begins to take medicines against the parasites. At the same time, doctors often prescribe drugs that prevent the occurrence of a possible allergy.

During the course of treatment, the doctor also prescribes a special diet, which must be adhered to rigorously, otherwise all measures may be in vain.

Consequences of Giardiasis

If you are engaged in self-medication or do nothing at all, the following consequences are possible:

• Problems with the small intestine.
• Disorders of the digestive organs.
• Significant dermatological problems.

To avoid this, you need to follow the recommendations of the doctor. But the best way to treat is prevention.

Prevention of infection

Measures to prevent giardiasis perform very easily. To do this, it is enough to observe the rules of personal hygiene, to treat meat well, to refuse raw water and thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits before consumption. We answered the question of whether lamblia is passed from person to person. Now you know that with the right approach to the way of life there is nothing to be afraid of.

But even if the above rules are observed once a year, it is necessary to undergo an examination in the hospital in order to start treatment in case of need.