Giardiasis - Preventing giardiasis

Giardiasis can often be prevented by practising good hygiene and taking some common-sense precautions.

Wash your hands

The most effective way to prevent giardiasis is to wash your hands regularly, particularly:

• after going to toilet
• after changing a nappy
• before handling and eating food

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 15 to 20 seconds, making sure that you clean the front and back of your hands. After washing your hands, rinse, then dry them with a clean towel. You should also encourage your children to wash their hands regularly.

Water safety

In the UK, water purification systems make it very unlikely that tap water could be contaminated by giardiasis. However, avoid drinking untreated water from rivers and lakes in this country and when travelling abroad.

Recreational facilities, such as swimming pools, paddling pools and water parks can sometimes become contaminated, particularly if they're used by younger children who may accidentally soil themselves while in the water. Avoid drinking the water when using such a facility. Giardia parasites can survive in chlorinated water, so you should not assume that chlorinated water is safe.

If you're going camping, it is recommended that you boil water before drinking it.

Travelling abroad

If you're travelling to countries where giardiasis is widespread and sanitation is poor, drink bottled water only. Make sure the bottle is properly sealed before using it. You should also use bottled water when brushing your teeth.

Also avoid eating raw fruit and vegetables as they may have been handled by someone with giardiasis.

Read about food and water abroad for more information and advice.

Places where giardiasis is widespread include:

• sub-Saharan Africa – all the countries south of the Sahara Desert, such as South Africa, Gambia and Kenya
• south and southeast Asia, particularly India and Nepal
• Central America
• South America
• Russia
• Turkey
• Romania
• Bulgaria
• the countries of the former Yugoslavia (Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia, Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Preventing the spread of infection

If you're diagnosed with giardiasis (or even if you have an episode of diarrhoea that's not diagnosed), it's very important to take precautions to prevent other members of your household becoming infected. You should:

• wash your hands regularly
• not cook or handle food that will be eaten by other members of your household
• avoid sharing utensils or towels

It's recommended that you stay away from work or college and avoid swimming pools until you have been completely free of symptoms for 48 hours. Similarly, your child should stay away from school or nursery until they have been completely free from symptoms for 48 hours.

Read more about preventing the spread of germs.

Sex

If you have frequent anal sex, make sure that you wash your hands after handling a condom that's been used during anal sex and after touching the anus (back passage).

The sexual practice known as ‘rimming’, in which one partner kisses or licks the other partner’s anus, also leads to an increased risk of infection. Due to the increased risk of giardiasis and other types of infection, this practice is not recommended.