Various types of parasites pose a severe threat to humans by causing diseases. Giardiasis is an illness appearing because of the parasite called Giardia duodenalis and leading to diarrhea, gas, abdominal pain, and dehydration (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). These unicellular protozoan parasites are also known as Giardia intellinalis and Giardia lamblia (Institute of Environmental Science and Research [ESR], 2018). The parasite can be present in feces and enter the human body in various ways. People can get infected through water and food, a diaper, or other surfaces or things (CDC, 2021). Giardia parasites are very tenacious, increasing their risk of entering the human body.
Giardia can survive in various settings, contributing to its spread. Cociancic et al. (2021) note that the most favorable conditions for the parasite to spread in the soil are average temperature and humidity, and warmth contributes to their reproduction. In such a situation, Giardia often infects food and water, which people use in such a situation. However, the parasite is not resistant to desiccation and is rapidly destroyed in dry, hot circumstances (ESR, 2018). This feature can be used to prevent infection through food (Buret et al., 2020). Moreover, Giardia will not be able to live in dry soil at high temperatures for a long time. As a result, diseases caused by the parasite are preventable and require careful behavior from people.
Thus, Giardia parasites can spread easily, causing Giardiasis in humans. These parasites reproduce in warm and humid conditions, are transmitted through feces, and enter food and water used by humans. At the same time, Giardia is not resistant to all situations – it is vulnerable to desiccation. Therefore, it will not spread in the soil in severe heat and drought. Moreover, using desiccation can lower the risk of infection through food.
References
Buret, A. G., Cacciò, S. M., Favennec, L., & Svärd, S. (2020). Update on Giardia: Highlights from the seventh International Giardia and Cryptosporidium Conference. Parasite, 27, 49.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Giardia. General information. Web.
Cociancic, P., Torrusio, S. E., Garraza, M., Zonta, M. L., & Navone, G. T. (2021). Intestinal parasites in child and youth populations of Argentina: Environmental factors determining geographic distribution. Revista Argentina de Microbiología, 53(3), 225-232.
Institute of Environmental Science and Research. (2018). Giardia intestinalis. Web.