Giardiasis Remains Public Health Concern, especially in Rural Communities, Experts warn
Mexico City - Despite declines in urban areas, giardiasis continues to be a prevalent infection, especially impacting rural communities and serving as a key indicator of socio-economic conditions, according to a recent panel discussion hosted by the Faculty of Medicine at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Experts emphasized the importance of accurate diagnosis, preventative measures, and a multidisciplinary approach to combat the parasitic disease.
The presentation detailed the transmission mechanisms of giardiasis, highlighting fecal-oral pathways as the primary route of infection, with both human and animal fecal matter playing a critically important role. Mechanical vectors, such as flies, were identified as crucial in spreading cysts from contaminated sources to food and surfaces. This underscores the critical need for improved sanitation and hygiene practices, particularly in areas with limited access to clean water and waste disposal systems.
“The infection occurs mainly through the fecal-ural path, being both human and animal fecalism the predominant mechanism. Mechanical vectors such as flies play a crucial role in the dissemination of cysts, transporting them from contaminated sources to food and human contact surfaces,” explained one of the panelists.
Giardiasis can manifest as either an acute or chronic illness. Acute symptoms, appearing one to two weeks post-infection, include abundant diarrhea, intense abdominal pain, flatulence, and loss of appetite. The chronic form can persist for over four weeks, sometimes presenting as the “juggling syndrome,” a colloquial term for the fluctuating symptoms frequently enough experienced by long-term sufferers.
Accurate diagnosis is paramount, experts stressed, cautioning against self-medication. “It is indeed essential to avoid self -medication and go to specialized medical care. The accurate diagnosis requires specific studies,including serial co -oxycopic analysis and molecular techniques for the detection of parasitic DNA,as symptoms frequently are confused with other intestinal infections,” a panelist explained.
preventative measures outlined included adequate purification of boiling water, hygienic food handling, and maintaining optimal sanitary conditions. Dr. Cruz Reséndiz emphasized the importance of health education,encompassing hand washing,proper waste disposal,and vector control.
The discussion concluded with a call for a extensive, multidisciplinary approach that integrates specialized medical attention, community education, and improvements to health infrastructure, particularly in vulnerable rural populations where giardiasis remains a significant public health challenge.
By Fernando Jacinto
