The parasite is spread via the feces of an infected person or animal. Acquisition occurs when cysts are ingested via contaminated water or food, or via person-to-person contact. After excystation, trophozoites colonize and multiply in the small bowel and may disrupt epithelial brush border, mucosally invade, or elaborate an enterotoxin. The incubation is usually 7-14 days, with symptoms often lasting more than 2-4 weeks; however, patients may continue to shed cysts for 6 months or longer.
Symptoms:
- Prolonged diarrhea – more than 7-10 days
- Malaise
- Flatulence
- Foul-smelling, greasy stools
- Sulfuric belching
- Abdominal cramps
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Malabsorption
- Weight loss
- Travel to endemic regions
- Children in daycare
- Men who have sex with men