Giardiasis is an intestinal disease that has affected humans and mammals since the beginning of human development and creation. Those who become infected with the parasite Giardia lamblia most likely live in developing countries; however, children and adults living in the United States are also found to be affected by giardiasis. In 1681, scientist Antony van Leeuwenhoek discovered the parasite while examining his own waste. Although this was an unusual way to uncover new material, many scientists used his findings for further research of giardiasis. With years of investigation and testing, scientists concluded that there were five different species of Giardia. Because the disease is contagious, giardiasis has been spread to most the areas …show more content…
Giardiasis is a disease that is spread quickly and can be found in most places around the world: “Giardiasis is a common intestinal infection spread by eating contaminated water, or through direct contact with the organism that causes the disease, Giardia lamblia” (Turkington 1). The disease Giardiasis is caused by a parasite called Giardia lamblia. Living in the intestines in humans, overtime the parasite multiplies and continues to grow (“Giardiasis” 333). Because Giardia is mainly found on surfaces that have come in contact with human waste, the parasite lives in places such as soil and food. By the disease being easily catchable, the parasite is transmitted to another person by the contact between the two people (Vyas 1). Although the disease is most likely caught by coming in contact with someone who is exposed to giardiasis, there are other ways for one can become infected. Since the parasite can live in water, drinking water from lakes where animals have left their waste is another cause of the infection (Vyas 1). The act of eating contaminated or raw food can also lead to illness. The parasite living in the spoiled food is the reason for the sickness after consumption (Vyas 1). As stated before, direct association spreads the disease more: “It is the most frequent parasite acquired by children in daycare centers and preschools (Estrada 972). Having knowledge of the causes of giardiasis is an …show more content…
The main treatment for giardiasis is an antiparasitic medicine such as tinidazole. However, there are other alternative medicines that can be used in place in tinidazole (Estrada 972). Although these may need several doses, metronidazole and nitazoxanide both serve as further treatments of giardiasis. For children, the medicine furazolidone is used because it is available in liquid form (Estrada 972). Although the body is able to ride itself if the disease, proper treatment is still needed. To avoid the disease, one must maintain sanitary functions (“Giardiasis” 335). By the small act of washing hands, giardiasis can be easily avoided: “Giardiasis can be prevented by strict handwashing, especially in those individuals who are in close contact with patients with diarrhea or children in diapers at daycare centers” (Estrada 972). Purified drinking water is the best to drink because water that has not been filtered could have been contaminated with giardiasis. If untreated drinking water is consumed, treatment will be required to treat and prevent the disease from spreading (“Giardiasis” 334). Disposing spoiled and rotten food will decrease the chance of becoming infected. If the material that is moldy is properly discarded, then people will less likely catch giardiasis (Turkington 4). Studies have shown that breastfeeding children can reduce their chance of becoming infected with giardiasis
E. coli are bacteria that can cause an infection in various parts of your body, including your intestines. E. coli bacteria normally live in the intestines of people and animals. Most types of E. coli do not cause infections, but some produce a poison (toxin) that can cause diarrhea. Depending on the toxin, this can cause mild or severe diarrhea.
Abstract: Salmonella is a bacterium that causes one of the most common intestinal infections in the United States - Salmonellosis. The chance of contracting this disease is significantly high, and more and more people are suffering from the symptoms and complications of Salmonella. This paper will discuss about the disease itself, the current outbreaks that are related to this disease, preventions and the treatments.
In crowded conditions, the rate of infection is even more rapid. The diseases brought over to America were mainly spread by the respiratory method. The pathogenesis of infection is through the ingestion of contaminated food and water. Throughout Europe during the 15th century, food and water were contaminated with fecal matter and by unsanitary habits ( i.e. the lack of bathing). The traumatic route of infection is through insect and animal bites.
Irregular bowel movements or constipation is quite a major and common concern in adults and babies as well. The condition becomes more challenging when it comes to babies. Parents of infants worry when their infant’s bowel movement is not regular and clear as that causes formation of gas and stomach pain.
Crohn’s disease is a disease that causes inflammation, swelling, and irritation to any part of the digestive tract which is also known as the gastrointestinal tract or GI tract. The disease most commonly targets the ileum which is a part in the small intestine. The digestive tract is organs that connect your mouth to your anus and it releases hormones and enzymes for the digestion in food. The inflammation caused by the disease goes deep into the lining of the digestive tract. It creates a stricture in the small intestine which is a narrowing of the pathway that can slow the movement of food through the intestine. The stricture can then move to large intestine which can cause many problems for absorption. When the disease causes the intestine to swell it can also be very problematic because the large intestine wouldn’t be able to function properly. Crohn’s disease is considered as an inflammatory bowel disease.
This disease may be on the brink of being eradicated entirely but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the grossest things that anyone has ever seen. The parasite enters the body via unsafe drinking water. When people drink water infected with water fleas that have have been hosting the larvae of the parasite. There are no symptoms, to begin with, but about one year later, blisters on the feet or legs begin to develop and then the adult fully developed worm crawls out of the host body over a period of a few weeks. It’s said that the pain is intense and can incapacitate a person for weeks at a time. The pain can also continue for months after the infection. The parasite needs to infect a person at least once a year in order to continue. There were an estimated 3.5 million cases in 1986 but the disease has been greatly reduced over time and only 22 cases were reported in 2015. This disease will probably be the first parasitic disease to be completely eradicated in humans.
Salmonella is a gram-negative rod, which is known to infect humans, birds, and other mammals by invading and irritating the intestines. It is more common in poultry and swine which, if consumed, can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. The infectious disease can be found almost everywhere and anywhere, including in water, animal feces, raw poultry, and raw seafood. Animals consume salmonella from the soil or contaminated processed feed. In humans, salmonella can lead to a developing typhoid-like fever that persists among other symptoms. However, there is no vaccine available for Salmonella but no treatment is needed because the infection is usually simply fought off by the immune system. There are various ways of preventing the salmonella infection as well, for example, careful cleaning of hands and utensils while cooking are simple preventative actions. Keeping clean and properly preparing food are the best ways contamination and spread of Salmonella can be avoided.
Despite the accomplishments, water-borne diseases remain an issue of concern. “From 1971 to 1988 there were 564 infectious outbreaks in the United States involving nearly 140,000 people.” Bacteria are microorganisms that are of the kingdom Prokaryotae. When certain bacteria appear in places where they do not normally reside, they can cause illness.
In the Nepal’s example on the web, the child sickness was due to lack of education on food hygiene and lack of infrastructure (sanitation and drinking water). Thus, teaching the mother about treating water before drinking and the importance of hygiene in handling aliments would prevent the child diarrhea episode and even save the other son that died in the past from this disease.
Enterococci are normally found inhabiting the large bowls of humans but are also a part of the intestinal micro flora in mammals and birds. Enterococci are also found in soil, plants, and water. Normally, you do not find E. faecalis in water but there are other species of Enterococci that have been found in water due to contamination. Often from feces. E. faecalis is considered an assorted species because it mingles with many different organisms and has an effect on the environment. Some of the ways that E. faecalis can be transmitted in the environment are by various insects and animals. House flies are a good example of how the bacterium is transmitted because where they live there are live microbial communities present. Normally they are found around...
What is Foodborne Illness? According to a medical dictionary, foodborne illness is an acute gastrointestinal infection caused by consuming food contaminated with pathogenic, bacteria, toxins, viruses, prions or parasites. Such contamination was caused by improper food handling, preparation or storage of food. Contacts between food and pests, especially flies, cockroaches and rodents are a further cause of contamination of food. Foodborne illness can also be caused by adding pesticides or medicine to food or consuming or by accidentally consuming naturally poisonous substances. That is why foodborne illness can also be called food poisoning.
Water-borne transmission refers to diseases that are acquired via usually contaminated freshwater. Infection occurs during bathing, swimming, drinking, preparing of food, or in the consumption of food that has been infected with a water-borne pathogen. Most of water-borne pathogens are protozoa, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Common examples of water-borne pathogens are Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia, Campylobacter jejuni, Vibrio cholerae, and Legionella pneumophila, along with man...
Cholera is still an extremely significant disease worldwide with over 5 million cases being reported per year (Ruiting & Reeves, 2002). Cholera is a diarrheal illness that progresses rapidly and is contracted by ingesting the bacterium Vibrio cholerae which causes an intestinal infection (CDC, 2013). In many cases the illness is mild with hardly any symptoms at all, but in some cases it can become severe. Approximately 5 percent of people who are infected exhibit severe symptoms such as extreme watery diarrhea, leg cramps, and vomiting (CDC, 2013). These symptoms usually occur at a rapid pace and unless treated can further lead to dehydration and shock which can ultimately cause death within hours. It is estimated that over 100,000 deaths occur each year around the world due to Cholera. (CDC, 2013)
Food borne illnesses are caused by consuming contaminated foods or beverages. There are many different disease-causing microbes, or pathogens. In addition, poisonous chemicals, or other harmful substances can cause food borne illnesses if they are present in food. More than two hundred and fifty different food borne illnesses have been described; almost all of these illnesses are infections. They are caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can be food borne. (Center 1)
Syphilis is a sexually transmitting infection caused by Treonema pallidum, a gram negative, and anaerobic spirochete bacteria 1. Syphilis is thought to have been brought to Europe by Columbus and his sailors in the 1500’s 1. The disease is characterized by four different stages with varying symptoms depending on the stage that the disease is in1. Often syphilis is presented with another sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia. Public education regarding safe sex is important for the prevention of this sexually transmitted infection.