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Giardia Intestinalis is a parasite that causes the illness Giardia People become infected when they come into contact with this parasite through food water or soil that is contaminated by infected human or animal feces This parasite was first observed by Leeuwenhoek in 1681 in his own feces Because this parasite lives in a hard shell cyst after is passed in the feces it can survive without a host for many months This parasite is the most commonly diagnosed parasitic disease within the United States The symptoms associated with this infection is diarrhea abdominal cramping gas nausea vomiting and dehydration This parasite has a very simple life cycle It is composed of two different stages 1 Trophozoite lives within its host 2 The cyst which is passed out through the infected fecal matter of the host Other symptoms that are found less frequently include hives itchy skin and swelling of the joints and eyes If small children become infected it may cause slower development mental growth and lead to malnutrition A person can be symptomatic for up to 3 weeks with an incubation period of 1 2 weeks Even after the parasite is gone the symptoms of the illness can persist for a very long time Individuals who work in day care centers are at a high risk of infection due to being around many small children who may be infected
