Parasitic Infection PPT

What are common GI parasites and how are they transmitted?

• Giardia lamblia → giardiasis

• Entamoeba histolytica → amebiasis (amebic dysentery)

• Cryptosporidium → watery diarrhea

• Transmission: oral-fecal route, contaminated food/water, poor sanitation, oral-anal sex, animal feces (dogs/beavers), or contaminated swimming pools

What are key features of Giardiasis?

• Occurs in cysts & trophozoites, invades small intestine mucosa

• Symptoms: diarrhea, steatorrhea (fatty stool), malabsorption, weight loss, nutrient deficiencies

• Acute = self-limiting; chronic can last years or be asymptomatic

• Treatment: Metronidazole (drug of choice), Tinidazole alternative

• Stools checked 2 weeks post-treatment

What are key features of Amebiasis (E. histolytica)?

• Invades & ulcerates large intestine → can spread extraintestinal

• Mild/moderate: foul-smelling stools, mucus (no blood), cramps, fatigue, flatulence, weight loss

• Severe dysentery: frequent bloody/mucoid diarrhea, fever (up to 104°F), vomiting, tenesmus, abdominal tenderness

• Complications: bowel obstruction, perforation, appendicitis, rectal ulcers, liver abscess (extraintestinal – fever, RUQ pain, hepatomegaly)

• Treatment: Metronidazole + luminal agent (paromomycin)

• Severe cases → IV fluids, antidiarrheals (diphenoxylate + atropine), hospitalization if dehydrated/elderly

What are key features of Cryptosporidium infection?

• Common in immunosuppressed patients (HIV, chemo, transplant)

• Source: contaminated swimming pools/water supplies

• Symptoms: profuse watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, weight loss

• Often self-limiting in healthy adults

• Treatment: supportive care in healthy; paromomycin may be used in immunosuppressed (can cause dizziness)

What are nursing safety priorities in parasitic infections?

• Emphasize handwashing with antimicrobial soap

• Avoid contact with stool; keep toilet areas clean

• Daily bathing/showering

• Avoid sexual practices with rectal contact until treatment completed

• Test all household & sexual contacts for parasites

• Avoid contaminated water (well water, unfiltered supplies, recreational lakes/pools)

• Reinforce follow-up stool exams after therapy to confirm eradication

What is Chagas disease and why is it important?

• Caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (kissing bug)

• Increasing in U.S., esp. southern states

• Phases:

  • Acute → fever, swelling, acute infection

  • Intermediate → asymptomatic

  • Chronic → cardiac dysrhythmias, heart failure, megaesophagus, megacolon (severe constipation, impaired digestion)

• Transmission: vector (bug), blood transfusions, organ transplant

• CDC classifies as a neglected parasitic infection requiring public health action

What is the first step in recognizing parasitic infection?

Take a thorough history (travel, sanitation, exposure to contaminated water/food, sexual practices).

What GI symptoms raise suspicion for parasitic infection?

• Diarrhea (may be bloody or foul-smelling)

• Abdominal pain/cramping

• Weight loss

• Steatorrhea

• Malabsorption

• Bloating

• Fatigue

What is the single best way to prevent the spread of parasitic infections?

Meticulous handwashing with antimicrobial soap.

How is treatment chosen for parasitic infections?

Based on the specific organism (e.g., metronidazole for Giardia or amebiasis; supportive care for Cryptosporidium).

What are the main nursing interventions for parasitic infections?

• Reinforce handwashing

• Provide drug therapy tailored to the organism

• Teach prevention of transmission (avoid stool contact, clean toilets, safe water, avoid high-risk sexual practices, bathe daily)

What key teaching should the nurse provide to prevent reinfection and transmission of parasitic infections?

• Monitor stools: Collected every 2–3 days after therapy to confirm drug effectiveness.

• Hand hygiene: Wash hands meticulously with antimicrobial soap after bowel movements.

• Personal hygiene: Bathe or shower daily.

• Environmental hygiene: Keep toilet areas clean.

• Animal exposure: Avoid contact with stool from dogs and beavers.

• Sexual practices: Avoid rectal-contact sexual activity until treatment is complete.

• Household exposure: All household/sexual partners should have stool exams.

• Water safety: Suspected water supplies should be tested; contaminated well or poorly filtered water often causes reinfection.