Disease Carriers

Protozoa: Giardia lamblia

Human giardiasis ("beaver fever") usually results from drinking water contaminated with the protozoan Giardia lamblia (a.k.a. G.intestinalis); infections are frequently seen in day care centers and among campers. In acute cases, symptoms may include nausea, upper intestinal pain and explosive diarrhea. Fever and chills may be present, and in fact, symptoms may mimic a peptic ulcer or gall bladder disease.

Scanning electron microscopy reveals the protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia in the small intestine of an animal host.
Courtesy of Dr. Stan Erlandsen, Univ. Minnesota.

Learn more about giardiasis.

For further information contact Janet Keithly at keithly@wadsworth.org