Living with giardiasis
Call your doctor if you have diarrhea, bloating, and nausea for more than a week. Giardiasis is unpleasant, but it's not usually dangerous. Once you begin the medicine, you can recover in about a week. If it's left untreated, symptoms can last 6 weeks or more.
What if Giardia is left untreated?
If left untreated, Giardia will eventually lead to more acute symptoms, including bloody diarrhea, weight loss, and dehydration. If you or your child experience a bout of diarrhea lasting more than a day or two, contact your doctor immediately.
Can Giardia be life threatening?
Giardia infection is almost never fatal in industrialized countries. But it can cause lingering symptoms and serious complications, especially in infants and children. The most common complications include: Dehydration.
