Some infections resolve on their own. Anti-infective agents such as metronidazole or quinacrine may be used. Furazolidone is generally used to treat children. Drug resistance may be a factor in treatment failures, requiring a change in antibiotic therapy. In pregnancy , treatment should be deferred until after delivery because none of the drugs used to treat the infection are approved for use in pregnancy.
Spontaneous resolution is common, but persistent infections have been reported.
Prevention Water purification methods such as boiling, filtration, and iodine treatment should be used when surface water is suspect. Hikers or others using surface water should consider all sources as potentially contaminated. Workers in daycare centers or institutions should use good handwashing and hygenic techniques when going from child to child or patient to patient. Safer sexual practices may decrease the incidence of giardiasis among the homosexual population. The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition.