Commonly called giardia, giardiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the protozoan Giardia lamblia. Symptoms of giardia infection are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, pale and greasy stools, fatigue, bloating, and weight loss. Diarrhea may last for days or weeks, or may come and go.
Symptoms vary from person to person.
Some people with giardia have no symptoms at all. Symptoms usually start from five to 25 days after swallowing the cyst. People and animals infected with giardia pass it in their stool. That is, hands can be soiled when using the toilet. If hands are not thoroughly washed, the giardia can be transferred to food, drink or items handled or eaten by another person.