Some infections go away on their own. Anti-infective medicines may be used.

Cure rates are generally greater than 80%. Drug resistance may be a factor in treatment failures, sometimes requiring a change in antibiotic therapy.

In pregnant women, treatment should wait until after delivery, because some of the drugs used to treat the infection can be harmful to the unborn baby.

It is common for the infection to go away on its own. However, persistent infections have been reported and need further antibiotic treatment. Some people who have had Giardia infections for a long time continue having symptoms even after the infection has gone.

• Dehydration
• Malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract)
• Weight loss

Call your health care provider if:

• Diarrhea or other symptoms last for more than 14 days
• You have blood in the stool
• You are dehydrated