Guardiasis from Fiji
Started by
TCdamsel
, Aug 10 2012 07:13 PM
7 replies to this topic
#1
Posted 10 August 2012 - 07:13 PM
I was on my way to pick up my son for a hiking trip in Yosemite when I received an email from one of my fellow Nai'a divers. It seems many, but not all of us took home an unexpected Fijian souvenir: Giardia. About 7-10 days after return from our Nai'a dive adventure several people came down with a fairly severe gastrointestinal disturbance characterized by intense nausea, abdominal bloating, loose stools, weakness, and lower abdominal cramps. Some of those affected tested positive for Giardia, an intestinal protozoan parasite. They were treated with metronidazole, and after several days of therapy were about 80-90% improved.
It is suspected that they contracted the Giardia from contaminated water used to prepare the kava during the island village visit.
I was the only person who did not attend the village visit. As of now, I don't have symptoms, but will be tested as soon as I get home on Monday. The management at the Nai'a has been contacted, but I haven't received any communication from them since all this has transpired. There was a second Kava ceremony at the end of the cruise, ON the boat. I don't know how or where this Kava was prepared. I drank one round that evening.
If I test positive, I'll update this.
It is suspected that they contracted the Giardia from contaminated water used to prepare the kava during the island village visit.
I was the only person who did not attend the village visit. As of now, I don't have symptoms, but will be tested as soon as I get home on Monday. The management at the Nai'a has been contacted, but I haven't received any communication from them since all this has transpired. There was a second Kava ceremony at the end of the cruise, ON the boat. I don't know how or where this Kava was prepared. I drank one round that evening.
If I test positive, I'll update this.
Every man and woman is born into the world to do something unique and something distinctive and if he or she does not do it, it will never be done.Benjamin E. Mays
Have a question...get an answer. Email: angels@singledivers.com
Have a question...get an answer. Email: angels@singledivers.com
#2
Posted 10 August 2012 - 07:44 PM
YIKES! Thank you for the update... hopefully you'll be spared.
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#3
Posted 11 August 2012 - 12:19 PM
Oh my! Ellen that sounds terrible. Good luck to you!!
Handle every stresssful situation like a dog.
If you can't eat it or play with it,
Just pee on it and walk away.
If you can't eat it or play with it,
Just pee on it and walk away.
#4
Posted 11 August 2012 - 01:18 PM
Sending prayers you dodged this gastrointestinal bullet - and more for those who didn't.
#5
Posted 26 August 2012 - 10:29 PM
Prior to going to more exotic locales for an extended trip, I visit w/ my Dr. and ask him for a Rx for Cipro.
Time on earth is precious, time underwater even more so. Live life one day at a time. Dive your @$$ off!!!
#6
Posted 27 August 2012 - 10:00 PM
Prior to going to more exotic locales for an extended trip, I visit w/ my Dr. and ask him for a Rx for Cipro.
Metronidazole is the drug of choice for Giardia as it is a parasite. Cipro won't treat it. Or viral causes of travelers diarrhea either.
For bacterial infections in the gi tract, the resistance rate to Cipro is now rather high. Rifaximin is a good choice for travelers diarrhea which does not pass on it's own, but many formularies will not pay for it.
For whatever we lose (like a you or a me), it's always ourselves we find in the sea....ee cummings
#7
Posted 28 August 2012 - 06:52 AM
Thanks for the insight Sharklover.... hoping you are ok TCDamsel!
Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !
Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!
Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906
#8
Posted 17 September 2012 - 09:24 AM
I was in Pohnpei in April,,I had bottle of cava in my hand,,,and after questioning about its quality,,was told it was made out of "the best rainwater",,I decided NOT to drink it,,as my next dive stop was TRUK,,and could not gamble on the effect on my health, and jepordize my next dive stop!!!!
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