Prevention of Giardia

Prevention list: Methods of prevention of Giardia mentioned in various sources includes those listed below. This prevention information is gathered from various sources, and may be inaccurate or incomplete. None of these methods guarantee prevention of Giardia.

• Avoid contaminated water
• Sterilize water
• Avoid foods washed in water

Prevention of Giardia: How can I prevent Giardia infection? Practice good hygiene.

1. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
   a. Wash hands after using the toilet and before handling or eating food (especially for persons with diarrhea).
   b. Wash hands after every diaper change, especially if you work with diaper-aged children, even if you are wearing gloves.
2. Protect others by not swimming if experiencing diarrhea (essential for children in diapers). 

Avoid water that might be contaminated.

1. Avoid swallowing recreational water. Click here for information on recreational water illnesses . 
2. Avoid drinking untreated water from shallow wells, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, and streams.
3. Avoid drinking untreated water during community-wide outbreaks of disease caused by contaminated drinking water. In the United States, nationally distributed brands of bottled or canned carbonated soft drinks are safe to drink. Commercially packaged noncarbonated soft drinks and fruit juices that do not require refrigeration until after they are opened (those that are stored unrefrigerated on grocery shelves) also are safe. Click here to find out how to choose bottled water that is also safe to drink. 
4. Avoid using ice or drinking untreated water when traveling in countries where the water supply might be unsafe.
5. If you are unable to avoid drinking or using water that might be contaminated, then treat the water yourself by:
   Heating the water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute.
   
   OR
   
   Using a filter that has an absolute pore size of at least 1 micron or one that has been NSF rated for "cyst removal." Click here for information on choosing a water filter.  
   
   If the methods above cannot be used, then try chemical inactivation of Giardia by chlorination or iodination. Chemical disinfection may be less effective than other methods because it is highly dependent on the temperature, pH, and cloudiness of the water.

Avoid food that might be contaminated.

1. Wash and/or peel all raw vegetables and fruits before eating.
2. Use uncontaminated water to wash all food that is to be eaten raw.
3. Avoid eating uncooked foods when traveling in countries with minimal water treatment and sanitation systems. 

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