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By Mayo Clinic staffSome people with giardia infection never develop signs or symptoms but still carry the parasite and can spread it to others through their stool. For those who do get sick, signs and symptoms usually appear one to two weeks after exposure and may include:
- Watery, sometimes foul-smelling diarrhea that may alternate with soft, greasy stools
- Fatigue
- Abdominal cramps and bloating
- Nausea
- Weight loss — as much as 10 percent of your body weight
Signs and symptoms of giardia infection usually improve in two to six weeks, but in some people they become chronic, lasting for months or years.