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I Have Had Diarrhea For 3 Weeks, Am Losing Weight,
Brief Answer:
Giardia is possible
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor. At this point, your diarrhea would be considered persistent, and has lasted longer than expected for most bacterial and viral causes. Therefore, testing for ova and parasites is recommended (including for giardia), as they are more likely with diarrhea lasting this long. If that does not reveal the cause, and the diarrhea continues, endoscopy (colonoscopy) may be needed to look at the colon and take further samples and/or biopsies to help determine what the cause could be.
So I would definitely see your doctor about this so that you can get your stool tested. Your doctor may also want to check your blood to look for any signs of dehydration or infection.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions about any of that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Giardia is possible
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor. At this point, your diarrhea would be considered persistent, and has lasted longer than expected for most bacterial and viral causes. Therefore, testing for ova and parasites is recommended (including for giardia), as they are more likely with diarrhea lasting this long. If that does not reveal the cause, and the diarrhea continues, endoscopy (colonoscopy) may be needed to look at the colon and take further samples and/or biopsies to help determine what the cause could be.
So I would definitely see your doctor about this so that you can get your stool tested. Your doctor may also want to check your blood to look for any signs of dehydration or infection.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions about any of that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you doctor. I went to the emergency room for rehydration today and I gave them a stool sample. They wouldn’t prescribe anything until they get the results. I am pretty tired and washed out as you can imagine. Giardiasis is a definite possibility. Our dog had something similar and the vet gave him metronidazole that cured the problem. Do you think I might have caught it from cleaning up his feces?
Brief Answer:
Possibly, but unlikely
Detailed Answer:
It is possible to get Giarda from dogs or cats, but it is rare, since the types that usually infect cats and dogs are different than the type that infects humans. But given that your dog likely had it, that could increase the chances a bit.
Normally giardiasis is treated with either tinidazole or metronidazole. I hope you get the results back soon and it clearly shows the cause.
Possibly, but unlikely
Detailed Answer:
It is possible to get Giarda from dogs or cats, but it is rare, since the types that usually infect cats and dogs are different than the type that infects humans. But given that your dog likely had it, that could increase the chances a bit.
Normally giardiasis is treated with either tinidazole or metronidazole. I hope you get the results back soon and it clearly shows the cause.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
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