Treatments for Giardia
Treatment list for Giardia: The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Giardia includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.
- Bed rest
- Anti-parasite medications
- Metronidazole
- Mepacrine
- Hygiene measures to avoid contagion
Treatments of Giardia discussion: Several prescription drugs are available to treat Giardia. Consult with your health care provider. Although Giardia can infect all people, young children and pregnant women may be more susceptible to the dehydration resulting from diarrhea and should drink plenty of fluids while ill. 1
My child was recently diagnosed as having giardiasis, but does not have any diarrhea. My health care provider says treatment is not necessary. Is this true?
In general, the answer by the American Academy of Pediatrics is that treatment is not necessary. However, there are a few exceptions. If your child does not have diarrhea, but is having nausea, or is fatigued, losing weight, or has a poor appetite, you and your health care provider may wish to consider treatment. If your child attends a day care center where an outbreak is continuing to occur despite efforts to control it, screening and treatment of children without obvious symptoms may be a good idea. The same is true if several family members are ill, or if a family member is pregnant and therefore not able to take the most effective anti-Giardia medications.1
Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Giardiasis: DPD
Last revision:
May 27, 2003
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