Treatment of Giardiasis

Before you determine what is the treatment of Giardiasis, we will briefly remind you of the general information about this disease.

Giardiasis is a common intestinal infectious disease, which in the human body is capable of causing a unicellular parasitizing microorganism - lamblia. This parasite settles in the cavity of the small intestine and successfully develops, feeding on the resources of the human body.

The most susceptible to the disease children under 5 years of age - the number of diseases for this period reaches 40% of cases. In addition to humans, giardiasis is also found in pets, such as dogs, cats, guinea pigs, etc.

Giardiasis can be infected with a fecal-oral route, that is, through unwashed hands, objects, water and food, if personal hygiene is not respected.

The disease is usually characterized by dyspeptic disorders (diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, pain in the projection of the small intestine), as well as loss of appetite, emaciation and a sharp aversion to lactose. In approximately 26% of cases, the disease can have asymptomatic course, and in more than 40% of cases - malignant, so treatment of lambliasis is prescribed only after reliable data on the pathogen obtained from the diagnosis.

Which doctor treats giardiasis?

Treatment of Giardiasis is a rather complicated and time-consuming process. Such a disease can not be cured independently, but only with the help of a specialist in these pathologies. Which doctor treats giardiasis? At children it is the pediatrist or children's gastroenterologist. In adults - a gastroenterologist or infectious disease specialist. All these specialists can be found in the nearest clinic, medical center or hospital, where they will provide you with all the necessary assistance.

In addition to the standard, medical treatment, further homeopath and phytotherapeutists may be needed to help speed recovery and strengthen the body.

Where to treat giardiasis?

In occasion of treatment of a lambliasis it is possible to address in the state and private medical institutions where doctors-experts gastroenterologists and infektsionisty carry out reception. For children it can be a children's polyclinic, a children's infectious disease department, a department of pediatrics. Adult patients should go to a polyclinic for adults, to the department of gastroenterology, infectious departments or hospitals, private general clinics or centers of gastroenterology.

In each house or educational institution (school or preschool education), where a lambliosis patient is found, an antiepidemic measure is required, which is organized by the local office of the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station (SES).

Modern treatment of Giardiasis

Modern treatment of Giardiasis consists of a whole complex of medicines, procedures and measures. To cure this disease is difficult, therefore it is inadmissible to engage in independent therapeutic methods: the treatment regimen should be determined only by a specialist.

It is more logical and effective to begin therapeutic activities at the time of exacerbation of the disease, especially when developing dyspeptic disorders.

For successful treatment of Giardiasis, an important link is the correction of the diet. Patients, especially in childhood, should definitely include in the diet of food with a sufficient content of pectin - a natural enterosorbent. Such dishes are liquid rice porridge on water, apple puree, blueberry jelly. After two days the patient is transferred to a more extended diet. The first time the exception is the products that create a positive environment in the intestines for the life of lamblia. The main part of such products are simple sugars: muffins, sweets, bakery products, as well as vermicelli, sausage, whole milk. Rice and buckwheat cooked on water, sour-milk products, compotes, baked apples, berries, vegetables, sunflower oil, dried fruits are allowed.

An important role in the therapy of Giardiasis is the stabilization of microflora in the intestine, which, as a rule, is broken in the course of the disease. In order to eliminate dysbacteriosis, the use of fermented milk products, as well as some probiotic preparations: yoghurt, lactobacterin, bifinorm, lactofiltrum, probiophore, etc., is recommended.

Preparations for the treatment of Giardiasis

At the moment, a number of drugs for direct exposure to the pathogen has been identified. When choosing a drug for therapy, it should be borne in mind that recently the development of additional parasitic strains resistant to the effects of standard anti-lyceum drugs (furazolidone, metronidazole, etc.) has been discovered. In addition, the selected drug should be well tolerated by the patient and not have toxicity, since it should be suitable for both adults and children.

• Nifuratel (MacMiore) is a nitrofuran drug that is very popular, because it absolutely meets all the above requirements. Has an extended range of antimicrobial and antiprotozoal effects. Nifuratel quickly absorbed, its maximum amount in the blood is observed after 2 hours after use. Excretion is by the urinary system. In the therapy of giardiasis, medication is prescribed:
  • adult patient by 0.4 g to 3 times a day for a week;
  • the child - 15 mg per kilogram of weight, twice a day for a week.

Nifuratel is less toxic than other drugs of nitrofuran series. It is not a teratogen and a carcinogen, which is quite suitable for therapy in childhood and during pregnancy.

• Metronidazole (trichopol) is a selectively toxic drug for anaerobic infection, has a mutagenic activity, and the ability to enhance the effect of radiation therapy in the treatment of oncology. Tablets have a bitter taste, perfectly digested when ingested. The limiting amount of the drug in the blood is observed after 3 hours after administration. Metronidazole enters all tissues and body fluids, including vaginal secretions, sperm, salivary secretions. Passes through the blood-brain barrier, is released during lactation with milk, overcomes the placental barrier. For these reasons, this drug is not prescribed during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Removal of the drug is through the kidneys. Specialists use two main options for taking Metronidazole:
  • 0.4 g three times a day for 5 days;
  • 0.5 g for adults and 5 mg / kg for children three times a day for 10 days.

During the course of treatment, alcohol intake is contraindicated.

• Niridazole is an antiparasitic agent used in the amount of 25 mg / kg of body weight per day. Duration of treatment - from 5 to 7 days, occasionally the course is extended to 10 days. When administered orally, Niridazole is absorbed in the digestive tract for several hours. Metabolism occurs in the liver, is excreted from the body with urine and calves. The drug is not prescribed for severe hepatic and nervous pathologies, with a tendency to epileptic seizures and mental disorders. Along with Niridazole necessarily use antihistamine medications.
• Tiberal (Ornidazole) - similar in characteristics to Metronidazole. Tiberal can be taken simultaneously with alcoholic beverages, besides, this medication does not have a teratogenic effect. Adult patients take the drug in the amount of 3 tablets at a time at night. The child is recommended to take the drug at a dose of 40 mg per kilogram of weight at a time. The drug is not used in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Tiberal has some neurotoxicity, so it can cause pain along the muscles, dizziness, dyspeptic disorders.
• Furazolidon - administered orally after eating. Adult patients take 0.1 g of the drug 4 times a day, children - 10 mg per kilogram of weight, divided into three doses. Simultaneously with Furazolidonom often prescribed antihistamines, vitamins gr. B, to reduce the risk of adverse events.

Recently, doctors often use newer medications to cure giardiasis - these are the drugs that inhibit the benzimidazole tubulin: pyrantel, albendazole, etc. Such drugs are safer than the previously listed nitroimidazoles. Nevertheless, at the moment, a clear and effective treatment regimen for such drugs has not yet been developed, so the therapy with these drugs should be long-term or periodically recurring.

Scheme of treatment of Giardiasis

The treatment regimen for giardiasis consists of three stages.

Stage I - elimination of internal intoxication and stimulation of the enzymatic function of the intestine, strengthening immunity. Conditions: observance of certain principles of nutrition, as well as the appointment of the following drugs:

• cholagogue means - eliminate stagnant phenomena in the gallbladder (cholekinetic drugs: sulphate magnesia, xylitol, sorbitol, etc.);
• antispasmodics - relieve spasms of the bile ducts;
• sorbent preparations - activated carbon, smectite, polysorbent, bilignin, etc .;
• Enzyme means - panzinorm (multienzyme), festal, creon, etc.

Stage II - antiparasitic therapy, with the use of specific antiprotozoal agents:

• Metronidazole (Trichopol);
• Tinidazole - 2 g at a time;
• Furazolidone;
• Macmoror is a nitrofuran series of medicines;
• Ornidazole;
• Delagil (Chloroquine) to 0.25 g three times a day;
• Paromomycin - aminoglycoside, 25 mg per kilogram, divided into three doses per day.

Stage III - strengthening of immune defense and further prevention of the development of lamblial infection in the intestine. The conditions of this stage are proper nutrition with the predominant eating of vegetables, fruits and berries, as well as fermented milk products. It is recommended to use tea based on birch buds, for a month. To eliminate dysbiosis and strengthen immunity, enzyme preparations and probiotics are prescribed: lactobacterin, mezim, pancreatic, bifikol, lacto-mun, etc.

The course of treatment of Giardiasis

The course of treatment of Giardiasis, as a rule, is long.

The first stage usually lasts from 2 weeks to 1 month.

The second stage can last 5-7 days, but in most cases, after a week or 10 days after the end of the II stage, it is repeated again to avoid relapse of the disease in the future. Sometimes it is possible to assign the second stage three times, with an interval of 7-10 days. To maximize the effectiveness of such treatment, each course of the second stage is recommended to be carried out with various medications.

Stage III does not have a strictly designated duration and can last for a long time - as long as the body requires. At least a month and a half after the end of treatment, the patient should be observed with the treating doctor to remain confident of the complete cure of the disease and the absence of relapse of the disease. The prognosis of giardiasis with adequate treatment is positive.

Cholagogue for lambliasis

Cholagogue with giardiasis can be prescribed along with other necessary drugs. This is done in order to eliminate as soon as possible the inflammatory process in the gallbladder, as well as reduce stagnant phenomena in it. For therapeutic purposes, predominantly prescribe cholekinetic drugs, extending the bile ducts and facilitating the flow of bile. Cholekinetics are a series of antispasmodics that relax the valve of the gallbladder and pancreas, which facilitates the release of bile into the intestinal cavity. Such cholekinetic drugs include atropine sulfate, papaverine, magnesia sulfate, etc.

By the way, a similar effect can be caused by the use of mineral waters: Essentuki No. 17 and No. 4, as well as other medicinal waters containing sulfatanions. Such water is consumed half an hour before a meal of 100-150 ml to 4 times a day.

In addition, in order to tone the biliary tract, prescribe cholespasmolytics such as drotaverin, platifillin, barberry-based drugs, etc. Valerian root also has a similar effect.

[1], [2], [3], [4]

Hofitol with giardiasis

Hofitol is a plant remedy based on artichoke. This medication is able to restore damaged liver cells, has choleretic and diuretic action. Reduces the level of urea in the bloodstream, stabilizes lipid metabolism and the amount of cholesterol. Can be used with other medications to reduce the toxic damage to the body. It helps to remove salts of heavy metals, nitrates and other toxins.

Hofitol has direct indications for the appointment with giardiasis, if the patient does not suffer from calculous cholecystitis, acute hepatitis and lack of patency of the biliary tract.

Hofitol with giardiasis is used as follows:

• on 1-2 tab. Three times a day, for a month;
• 5 ml of syrup three times a day, for 3 weeks;
• 1-2 ampoules of Hofitol IM, once a day, for 7-14 days.

Hofitol is allowed to use during pregnancy, but only with permission and under the supervision of a doctor.

Similar replications of the medication can be considered Artichoke extract and medicament Holebil.

Allochol for giardiasis

Allochol is a cholagogue medication that enhances the production of bile. Allochol, like other cholagogues, is actively used for giardiasis. This medication affects the secretion of the liver, stimulates the motor and enzymatic activity of the digestive system, has a slight laxative effect. The composition of the medication includes garlic, which reduces fermentation in the intestines and stops bloating.

Allochol for giardiasis ingested, 3 times a day for 2 tablets, immediately after meals. In childhood, up to 7 years, take 1 tablet, then the dosage corresponds to that of adults. The course of treatment with Allochol continues for a month, after which they take a break of 3 months and repeat the therapy (if necessary).

Allochol is approved for use during pregnancy and lactation. Do not prescribe the drug for obstruction of the bile ducts, with the detection of stones in the cavity of the gallbladder, with acute inflammatory process in the liver and pancreas.

[5], [6],

Antibiotics for giardiasis

Giardiasis refers to infectious diseases, so many patients rush to begin treatment with antibiotics on their own. However, it should not be forgotten that this is also parasitic pathology, which is caused by the pathogen, which drives dependent life activity due to an alien organism (human or animal). Giardiasis is one of the forms of protozoal invasion, therefore drugs for the treatment of this disease should not only affect the pathogenic microflora, but specifically the protozoal infection - Giardia.

With gambling, complex therapy is prescribed. Correct selection of methods of treatment guarantees a favorable result, meanwhile, a violation of the treatment regimen can lead the disease to a more severe, chronic course.

The exact dosage of medicines and the duration of the course of treatment should be determined by the attending physician. Under no circumstances should you attempt to treat lambliasis alone, as this may require further more complex and prolonged treatment.

[7], [8], [9]