giardiasis

[ jee-ahr-dahy-uh-sis, jahr- ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. an intestinal disorder characterized by abdominal discomfort and prolonged, intermittent diarrhea, caused by the protozoan Giardia lamblia and contracted by drinking untreated water, as of streams or ponds, contaminated with the feces of infected animals.

giardiasis

/ ˌdʒaɪɑːˈdaɪəsɪs /

noun

1. infection with the parasitic protozoan Giardia lamblia , which can cause severe diarrhoea

giardiasis

/ jē′är-dī′ə-sĭs /

1. An intestinal infection caused by the protozoan Giardia lamblia. It is usually asymptomatic in humans but can cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping. Giardiasis is most commonly transmitted by contaminated water and by direct contact among individuals in group settings.

Word History and Origins

Origin of giardiasis¹

First recorded in 1915–20; giardia, -asis

Example Sentences

The 46-year-old was diagnosed with giardiasis, an intestinal infection, and was hospitalized for four days while doctors treated his symptoms, drew blood and performed a CT scan.

From Los Angeles Times

David Deveney suffered giardiasis after spending two hours in the River Severn, and said an investigation found an 80% chance it came from human sewage.

From BBC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says giardiasis can be spread by swallowing giardia from contaminated surfaces including bathroom handles, drinking contaminated water, swallowing contaminated water while swimming and eating uncooked food containing giardia.

From Washington Times

By the time the ordeal ended, I’d lost 30 pounds to giardiasis and abandoned all hope of finishing the trail that season.

From Washington Post

Then there were all the diseases one is vulnerable to in the woods—giardiasis, eastern equine encephalitis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, schistosomiasis, brucellosis, and shigellosis, to offer but a sampling.

From Literature