Our trips have been free of this issue. However, the possibility cannot be dismissed entirely. Just what are the symptom for that and when do they take place. How can you tell the difference between that and other somewhat similar concerns I might get. Is it correct that giardia does not go away with out medical attention?

bwcadan: "Is it correct that giardia does not go away with out medical attention?"

No, and some people don't show any symptoms.

bwcadan: "Is it correct that giardia does not go away with out medical attention?"

No.

Symptoms usually begin 1 to 3 weeks after exposure but some people don't show any symptoms.

Oops. I did the back arrow instead of edit, and got a double post.

3 family members contracted giardia several years ago in Quetico, at least that’s what the doctors diagnosed . The symptoms started a couple weeks after they got back home. Nausia, stomach cramps, intense diarrhea, are some of the symptoms. My dad said it was the worst he had felt in his entire life. After being treated by doctors I believe it took a couple weeks to get back to feeling descent. I can’t remember what they were all prescribed as far as medication.

If people start to have tummy issues during a trip & your trip is less than 2 weeks long then it's more likely to have been from that drive thru you got on the way up, or hygiene while on the trail. As others have said, Giardia has an incubation period.

Great weight loss program-had it twice and loss 10 pounds each time.

I had it twice,once in the BWCA at Island river by isabella lakeand once the Pine river going into the Whitefish chain north of Brainerd. I think my incubation time was in the 1 week.

The local hospital(Brainerd) identified it real easy in the lab. It is not a a bacteria or virus it is a infection created by flagellated protozoan Giardia intestinalis.

Medicine(get the right stuff) will knock it out fairly fast-it took a few days at least. was maybe like 7-10 days ,including before I got the medicine. Each time I lost about 10 Pounds. You got to watch it so you don't get dehydrated. At its worse you better stay close to a toilet.

Like I mentioned earlier your hospital lab should be able to identify it pretty easy.

The Island river time I used iodine pills but they were old,I didn't know they had a shelf life. After that for that area I bought a filter and sometimes also do the iodine for a double safety.

Pine river by Brainerd I just had water splashed water on my lips and that was enough. There can be huge numbers in a little water.

Also the little fellas can build up by shore if you are where the waves are blowing in.

Past misery

Aquamira water treatment

Have used this stuff for years now... so far so good. A number of years ago we were on Mallberg Lake with beaver everywhere. The scouts spent a LOT of time in the water...it was so hot. By some miracle no one got giardia
dr bob

I've been doing trips into BWCA/Quetico for 33 years, of various lengths. Have had several canoeists come down with giardia in that time, and keys to diagnosis are:
1. 7-10 day incubation
2. Diarrhea & cramping
3. The WORST smelling gas ever
In each of our cases, despite admonitions otherwise, the affected crew admitted to one or more of the following transgressions:
1. Got thirsty, and drank unfiltered water from "beautiful stream"
2. After rinsing dishes or canteens in lake water, did not let them dry completely
3. Thought that one old iodine tab in a qt canteen would be sufficient
Our cases usually became apparent upon return to civilization, and were diagnosed at the lab. Each got better with metronidazole (flagyl), which I carry in my pack now just in case.
We have been using the gravity filters for 5 years, and with considerable nagging regarding precautions, no more cases (knock on wood)

Boy, I hear ya on the personal hygiene thing. I've been on trips where we had common food bags where everyone dips their hands in. Then one trip about ten years ago we witnessed a guy dipping his hand in there after using the Biffy. It was clear he hadn't cleaned up after and when confronted he insisted he "used the other hand". We've jokes about this over the years since. But we also went back to individual gorp and whatever other bag and such people would be dipping in. I especially like this practice of group solos where we do our own food.
This goes beyond tripping also. I believe a lot of our health issues are avoidable.

It is the last thing you want going on with you when the woods are full of skeeters too. Hit me at the end of a trip once and seemed to linger for weeks until I was solid again. Don't ever use any un-purified water next to shore or anywhere for that matter. I think I might have used some water along a shoreline the first morning to brush my teeth. Never again.

Blessed to never have had it. Then again, I always drink filtered water. There is another thread on water filtration that is well worth a read-bottom line: keep you hands clean!!!!!!

QueticoMike: "It is the last thing you want going on with you when the woods are full of skeeters too. Hit me at the end of a trip once and seemed to linger for weeks until I was solid again. Don't ever use any un-purified water next to shore or anywhere for that matter. I think I might have used some water along a shoreline the first morning to brush my teeth. Never again."

Streams are bad and if along a lake where the wind is blowing in will be bad. Like you mention go to the middle of lake or off shore.
Like I said giaridia is a great diet program.

The only time I'd ever get water near shore is if I intend to boil it. As for streams, you never know what's just upstream out of sight.

from the CDC:

The spectrum varies from asymptomatic carriage to severe diarrhea and malabsorption. Acute giardiasis develops after an incubation period of 1 to 14 days (average of 7 days) and usually lasts 1 to 3 weeks. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. In chronic giardiasis the symptoms are recurrent and malabsorption and debilitation may occur.

So it can be as soon as 1 day after exposure.

here is the link for verification

Exactly. Doesn't hurt to bring along flagyl.

drnatus: "from the CDC:


The spectrum varies from asymptomatic carriage to severe diarrhea and malabsorption. Acute giardiasis develops after an incubation period of 1 to 14 days (average of 7 days) and usually lasts 1 to 3 weeks. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. In chronic giardiasis the symptoms are recurrent and malabsorption and debilitation may occur.


So it can be as soon as 1 day after exposure.


here is the link for verification "

I did not know that? Always thought 7-10 days? Plenty of time to get the Rx for Flagyl post trip? Fortunately, I've never had it.

nctry: "Boy, I hear ya on the personal hygiene thing. I've been on trips where we had common food bags where everyone dips their hands in. Then one trip about ten years ago we witnessed a guy dipping his hand in there after using the Biffy. It was clear he hadn't cleaned up after and when confronted he insisted he "used the other hand". ... "

so disgusting! so very disgusting!

Yikes!

As previously mentioned in a couple of posts above, this ailment is rather unmistakable. It's pretty intense, painful and quite pronounced. It will be much more of an "intense" abdominal experience than your average, run-of-the-mill traveler's bout. I came down with an ameobic-version of this while doing a field survey in Niger once. It wasn't pleasant and the only thing that tided me over until I could get back to the capital was immodium. It's a good thing to always have in your first-aid kit just in case.

nctry: "Boy, I hear ya on the personal hygiene thing. I've been on trips where we had common food bags where everyone dips their hands in. Then one trip about ten years ago we witnessed a guy dipping his hand in there after using the Biffy. It was clear he hadn't cleaned up after and when confronted he insisted he "used the other hand". We've jokes about this over the years since. But we also went back to individual gorp and whatever other bag and such people would be dipping in. I especially like this practice of group solos where we do our own food.
This goes beyond tripping also. I believe a lot of our health issues are avoidable. "

Hand-washing cuts disease rates in half (if not more) for those specifically transmitted by the by this vector.

One of our group got it turkey hunting in Missouri, diagnosed by his Dr. About two weeks after he got home. He said it was the sickest he has ever been, and will never drink unfiltered water from a lake or river again.

nctry: "Boy, I hear ya on the personal hygiene thing. I've been on trips where we had common food bags where everyone dips their hands in. Then one trip about ten years ago we witnessed a guy dipping his hand in there after using the Biffy. It was clear he hadn't cleaned up after and when confronted he insisted he "used the other hand". We've jokes about this over the years since. But we also went back to individual gorp and whatever other bag and such people would be dipping in. I especially like this practice of group solos where we do our own food.
This goes beyond tripping also. I believe a lot of our health issues are avoidable. "

Wow. I'm impressed you still travel with him...He must be an incredible cook. Wait, nevermind.... :)

I have been "blessed" with beaver fever twice. The first time it took Mayo Clinic almost 3 weeks to figure out what I had. The second time I told them what I had and the treatment, simple 10 day Rx of Flagly. The 2nd time my brother in law caught it the same fishing trip. He called me about 2 weeks after we got home wondering how I was feeling, I told him great [I was already on Flagyl] I asked him what was going on he replied "i've got the worst stomach cramps I've ever had, I can S---T at a screen door and not leave a drop on the screen". After I got done laughing I told him to get to a DR and tell him you got beaver fever and need a 10 day dose of Flagyl. I will go along with the weight lose program... FRED

I wonder if the Native Americans, Voyageurs and early settlers developed an immunity to Giardia or if gradual immunity is even possible. I suppose they had herbs to remedy such a situation? Yikes! What an ordeal. Never experienced it either. Only drank unfiltered water once from the middle of Kelly Lake when Kadatyn filter clogged-up. Was lucky.

Remember, if you are taking Flagyl (metronidazole) you are supposed to drink ZERO alcohol.

Metronidazole was once used and marketed as a treatment for alcoholism because it makes one ill (vomiting etc) when combined with alcohol.

ozarkpaddler: "I did not know that? Always thought 7-10 days? Plenty of time to get the Rx for Flagyl post trip? Fortunately, I've never had it. "

7 days is the AVERAGE. For most (50+%) of the time you would be okay. 1 day incubation is likely less than 2.5% (guesstimate) of cases.

mjmkjun: "I wonder if the Native Americans, Voyageurs and early settlers developed an immunity to Giardia or if gradual immunity is even possible. I suppose they had herbs to remedy such a situation? Yikes! What an ordeal. Never experienced it either. Only drank unfiltered water once from the middle of Kelly Lake when Kadatyn filter clogged-up. Was lucky.
"

Why do people from the USA get sick when they drink straight or even tap water in Mexico yet the Mexicans don't? I have a friend who is from a town outside of Mexico City who used to be immune to the water, when she was younger. She's since spent too much time away from it that the water gets her sick now. I'm sure there's a natural immunity that builds up over time. Sort of like allergies to cats or dogs - get one as a baby and over time you will likely adjust and build up an immunity to that particular animal's allergens.

drnatus: "Remember, if you are taking Flagyl (metronidazole) you are supposed to drink ZERO alcohol.


Metronidazole was once used and marketed as a treatment for alcoholism because it makes one ill (vomiting etc) when combined with alcohol. "

One of the fellows that work at the outffiter I use said that was the worst part. :)

In a somewhat lighthearted manor I would like to know from someone who has experienced both, what would the difference be between "Diarrhea" and "Intense Diarrhea"?

CityFisher74: "In a somewhat lighthearted manor I would like to know from someone who has experienced both, what would the difference be between "Diarrhea" and "Intense Diarrhea"?"

Never had it, but my hunch is it has something to do with the amount of time you have between "uh oh" and "go."

It’s the length of time between oh crap I gotta........ to late..!!!!

We went the first three trips into Iron and Crooked just getting our water from the middle of the lake and drinking it without any filtering or iodine and no one had a problem. Wouldn't you know it the first trip we started treating with iodine I got giardia the week after returning. Like Quetico Mike I brushed my teeth with untreated water one morning. It was brutal! No problems since that trip.

BearRaid: "We went the first three trips into Iron and Crooked just getting our water from the middle of the lake and drinking it without any filtering or iodine and no one had a problem. Wouldn't you know it the first trip we started treating with iodine I got giardia the week after returning. Like Quetico Mike I brushed my teeth with untreated water one morning. It was brutal! No problems since that trip."

Like I said once I just got a bunch of water splashed on my face a little in my mouth. That was enough.

My dad got it on ram lake about 15 years ago. It was a bad deal for about 3 weeks. Never get water near shore and be careful swimming near shore to not swallow water. We think that's how he got it.

BearRaid: "We went the first three trips into Iron and Crooked just getting our water from the middle of the lake and drinking it without any filtering or iodine and no one had a problem. Wouldn't you know it the first trip we started treating with iodine I got giardia the week after returning. Like Quetico Mike I brushed my teeth with untreated water one morning. It was brutal! No problems since that trip."

Right here is the main reason we filter EVERY drop of water we use. We take two Sawyer gravity filters and always have plenty of water including filling 2 shower bags. Also, two filters allow for a backup in the event we should ever need that.