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Giardia antigen (feces)
This is a stool sample test to look for the parasite Giardia intestinalis. The parasite causes an infection of the small bowel called giardiasis. It may also be a cause of travelers' diarrhea. Symptoms include:
Diarrhea
Foul smelling, fatty stools
Bloating, excessive gas (flatus)
Nausea
Vomiting
Belly (abdominal) cramps
Dehydration
Weakness, fatigue
Giardiasis is common in daycare centers and among people who travel to different countries. It can also be transmitted by contaminated water and food.
Parasites like Giardia usually have a life cycle in which they pass through several different forms. Because of this, they may not be detected right away. You may need to have this test more than once.
You might need this test if you have unexplained diarrhea or other symptoms listed above, and your healthcare provider thinks that you may have this infection.
You may also have a white blood cell count test. This is done to check for infection. You may also have other tests to look for other germs in your stool.
Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, and other things. Your test results may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you.
If the lab detects the parasite in your stool sample, most likely you have giardiasis. But Giardia may not be in the first sample. More than one sample may be needed for an accurate diagnosis.
This test requires a stool sample. You may be asked to provide more than one sample. Your healthcare provider will tell you how to collect a sample. You will do it with a disposable specimen container with a lid. Don't collect stool from the toilet bowl or put toilet paper or urinate into the specimen container.
This test has no known risks.
Barium, anti-diarrhea medicine, antacids, and mineral oil can interfere with this test. Antibiotic treatment can also affect the test results.
You don't need to prepare for this test. Be sure your healthcare provider knows about all medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking. This includes medicines that don’t need a prescription and any illegal drugs you may use.