GIARDIASIS is a tummy bug caused by a tiny parasite. It can trigger a range of symptoms, including smelly or watery diarrhoea , burps that smell like eggs, stomach pain and bloating . 1 The stomach bug giardia can cause diarrhoea and stomach cramps Credit: Getty Some people also suffer from farting , weight loss, fatigue and nausea , according to the NHS and Mayo Clinic .
Giardiasis is usually confirmed by a stool sample and is treated with antibiotics . Anyone with the bug should stay home from school or work until two days after their symptoms stop to avoid spreading the infection. For most people, it goes away in about a week with treatment.
However, it can sometimes last much longer and trigger serious complications. How do you catch giardiasis? You can catch giardiasis in a variety of ways, and experts warn that it spreads rapidly. Most commonly, people get it through direct contact with infected humans or animals.
But it is also possible to contract giardiasis from drinking water contaminated by the poo of infected people or animals, eating contaminated food, swimming in lakes, rivers or pools, touching contaminated surfaces or having sex with someone who is infected. Most read in Health BRIGHT SIGHT Aberdeen ready to swoop for Brighton star who helped loan side win promotion STREET SMASH Driver arrested after horror crash with pedestrian as cops lock down road CRISIS TALKS Inside crunch meeting where Rangers board was grilled by fans on Ibrox rumours HE'S A KEEPER Rang.