Giardia spreads easily and can spread from person to person or through contaminated water, food, surfaces, or objects. The most common way people get sick is by swallowing contaminated drinking water or recreational water (for example, lakes, rivers, or pools). Find answers to frequently asked questions about Giardia.

Can you transmit Giardia to someone else?

➢ People who have become infected with Giardia will have the parasite in their feces (stools). If people do not properly wash their hands after using the restroom or changing a diaper, and then handle food or objects that people put in their mouths (e.g., toys), they can spread the parasite to other people.

How do you catch giardiasis?

How do you get giardiasis and how is it spread? You can get giardiasis if you swallow the Giardia parasite (germ). Giardia—or poop from people or animals infected with Giardia—can contaminate anything it touches. Giardia spreads very easily; even getting tiny amounts of poop in your mouth could make you sick.