Date:         Mon, 12 Jul 1999 21:33:33 -0700
Reply-To:     Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Subject:      More on Giardia
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Not wanting to start a debate here, but some of what I have read or heard or
experienced over my past 30 years of camping, backpacking, and living in the
mountains seems to conflict with recent posts.

1.    I have read that many of the municipal water systems in the U.S. are
contaminated with Giardia. And most of the natural water systems. Some with
higher concentrations than others.

2.    You can get it by swimming in a lake if you open your mouth and a wave
splashes in... or perhaps even from contact on your lips if the
concentration is high enough.

3.    Boiling, filters (if the mesh is small enough), and Iodine are
effective in purifying the water to drinkable quality. I use 'Potable Aqua'
(an Iodine product sold at backpack stores) at double strength as suggested
in the directions. I have been backpacking for many many years using this
method. I also use this to clean out my Westy water tank. Filters are good,
but not all of them filter to small enough sizes. Also, filters are
problematic because you must be careful not to let the bad water part drip
on the good water parts or into your filtered water. I know people who have
gotten Giardia due to sloppy filter skills. Also if allow your filter to
freeze it can crack the filtering membrane thus defeating the filtering of
Giardia.

4.    Giardia symptoms can come on with in 24 hours if the concentration of
Giardia in the water you drink is high enough. The main symptoms is severe
gastro intestinal disturbance, sometimes explosive eliminations, and very
bad odors. I believe such things as alcohol and milk amplify the
disturbances. The disturbances become cyclic as the little beasties multiply
between episodes of intense eliminations.

5.    Add the drug Quiniquirne (spelling) to the treatments.

6.    Often does not show up on the tests. If you have the symptoms and have
been camping many doctors will just not bother with the test... they just
start you on the treatment since the tests are not conclusive anyway.

7.    Sometimes cases are mild. But if you don't get rid of it, it can
weaken your health and ultimately shorten your life.

8.    Most common method for spreading is drinking bad water in the
mountains, or not washing your hands at home... children and diaper changers
are primary suspects at home.

9.    Be picky about the water you fill your Westy tank with :)

Bill
90 Westy Syncro