Final answer:
Giardiasis prevention includes regular handwashing, consuming clean water, thorough cooking of food, and good hygiene practices. If diagnosed, it can be treated with antibiotics like Flagyl. Travelers to at-risk areas need to be especially cautious.
Step-by-step explanation:
Preventing Giardiasis
Giardiasis is a waterborne disease caused by the parasitic protozoan Giardia lamblia. Transmission occurs through the ingestion of contaminated food or water, or via direct contact from person to person. Prevention strategies include practicing good hygiene like regular handwashing, especially after using the bathroom or handling raw food, and before eating or preparing food. Ensuring the consumption of clean, filtered water and cooking food thoroughly to the appropriate internal temperatures are also essential practices. Those at greatest risk include travelers to countries with prevalent giardiasis, individuals in child-care settings, and outdoor enthusiasts who might consume untreated water.
Food can become contaminated through undercooking, improper storage, and cross-contamination. The three main ways food becomes contaminated are through microorganisms, chemical substances, and physical objects. To prevent the spread of foodborne diseases in the home, it is important to cook meat to safe temperatures, prevent cross-contamination, and maintain the cleanliness of food preparation areas.
Antibiotic treatments like Flagyl can be effective once giardiasis is diagnosed through a stool sample. Travelers to developing countries should take precautions such as avoiding undercooked food, consuming only treated or bottled water, and practicing good hygiene.