What does bloating feel like with giardiasis?

Giardiasis can irritate the small intestine, causing bloating with foul-smelling or greasy diarrhoea, excess gas, abdominal cramps, nausea, and reduced appetite. Some people notice symptoms after drinking unsafe water, swallowing water while swimming, travelling, or close contact with an infected person. These clues can guide testing, but bloating by itself has many causes and does not confirm an infection.

Contact a clinician if bloating and diarrhoea continue, especially after a possible water or travel exposure. Stool testing may be used to look for the parasite. Drink safe fluids and wash hands carefully after using the toilet and before preparing food. Avoid preparing food for others while diarrhoea is active, and ask about returning to work or school if infection is suspected.

Seek urgent help for signs of dehydration such as faintness, confusion, very little urine, or inability to keep fluids down; also seek care for severe abdominal pain, blood in stool, or worsening weakness. Children, older adults, and people with significant medical conditions may need earlier advice.

Ask whether stool tests are needed, how to replace fluids, whether household contacts need advice, and when normal activities are safe. Mention travel, untreated water, swimming exposure, symptom onset, and the colour or texture of stools.