Loose Stools?

Mama_v2.0

Have your children checked for Giardia. I had it when I was 10 years old and am having the exact same stomach trouble again. 2 months ago I started having the problem. I left the area for 3 weeks, no problem. I have been back for less than a week and stomach problems again. Same for my kids....here loose bowels, traveling regular stools. (We are on city water.) We don't have pets or anything to have got it from them. My husband doesn't get sick, but grew up in a 3rd world country so his body is use to it being in the water. 

If your city water has it, a brita water pitcher does not remove the bacteria. I just called them and asked.

For more info try this: 

https://water.epa.gov/action/advisories/drinking/upload/2009_02_03_criteria_humanhealth_microbial_giardiafs.pdf

I think I am going to be boiling my water from now on and see if it helps.  

Seattle_JiLLn

Giardia takes a while to clear though I thought? I don't think it would immediately change when you travel like that? Have you been tested and confirmed? Are you saying you know your water supply has it? Or are you just assuming?

Mama_v2.0

For me is flares up every 8-12 days. Each person's body deals with the bacteria differently. (Some people just get loose stools, some are non-stop sick coming out both ends, burps like burnt pop-corn, some people don't get sick at all.)

I don't have a microscope powerful enough to check for bacteria in the water, but I did e-mail the water company and request that they check because it seems I may not be the only one and most of the water in this area comes from the same area. 

If you or someone you care for is having persistent problems please ask the doctor to do a check for this bacteria and if you do find out you have it too, let your water company know ASAP. 

 

CDMay2006

Giardia isn't a bacteria.  It's a protozoa... a LOT bigger than bacteria.  I don't know whether brita is equipped to deal with it, but it causes very severe symptoms that wouldn't go away just by not drinking the water (and wouldn't subside that quickly).  It's also extremely unlikely that it would be found in municipal water in this country.  (ETA: It could be found after severe weather events in which sewage contaminates the water supply.)

ETA, pt 2: I forgot that the part that spreads the parasite infection is the cycsts (like eggs) of the protozoa, which are indeed super tiny (even though the mature protozoa are much larger).  So, filtration-wise, you do need a small filter.  They are still bigger than bacteria or viruses, though.

I think you should talk to your dr. about submitting a stool sample(s) to the lab. 

Mama_v2.0

In case I wasn't clear...just putting it out there so that no one has to suffer again and again and again and again and again.... while the doctor tries to connect the dots and runs 10 other tests first.

It is most common in 1-9 year olds and their caregivers. It is like lice & pink eye. Everyone ties it to being "dirty" and gets defensive, but really sometimes you just can't prevent this stuff kind of stuff.