|
| Health and medical information for consumers, quality assured by the Victorian government (Australia). |
|
 |
|
|
|
     |
|
|
|
 |
Ask the experts
| |
| |
Q: My child has had very smelly loose stools for a year. The pediatrician suggested Giardia. Flagyl has helped but I should I investigate the problem further? (Female, 2)
A: Giardia can be difficult to spot even when the stool samples are carefully examined microscopically. It is good medical practice to treat with antibiotics if there is a high clinical suspicion of the infection in the absence of a definite result from testing. This is called a presumptive diagnosis. The fact that your daughter had a good response to treatment is further evidence that Giardia was the right diagnosis. It is true that Giardia can persist, even after treatment, but basically, if your daughter is well and there are no ongoing symptoms, you don’t need to worry or consider further investigations.
Last reviewed: 03/01/2007
| |
| |
| |
|
