Giardia is a parasite found in water or on the surface, in soil, or in food contaminated by the stool of any person or animal.

How it spreads : 

The Giardia spreads by swallowing the stool that comprises a parasite by contacting an infected animal or person by drinking water or eating contaminated food.

Who is at risk :

The risk of this disease is not known, but some factors can cause Giardia in anyone.

• It is found among travelers.
• People who have to change the diapers of children.
• Anyone who had contact with another person’s poop while having sexual contact had Giardia.
• People who drink water from rivers, lakes, and streams might be contaminated.
• People who swim in the water with natural bodies.

Signs in ferrets : 

Some ferrets will not show any signs even if they are sick. But it is important to wash hands with soap once you are done playing with ferrets. Also, it would help if you took the ferret to the vet for a regular checkup.

Symptoms in people :

Those who have Giardia will suffer from diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, gas, vomiting, and nausea. Nonetheless, there are chances that the people do not show any signs of illness. But if you think that you have a giardia infection, consult a doctor.  

Diagnosis :

There are several germs due to which you can have diarrhea. However, it is vital to know that which germ caused the illness so the doctor can choose the right treatment for you. Therefore, the health care providers will be ordering laboratory tests to know about the giardia germs in someone's stool which is ill.
Sometimes it is not easy to identify the Giardia and what is the reason makes you sick. The people suffering from Giardia infection will not have Giardia germs in each stool. So, even the laboratory will not be able to find those germs.

Therefore, the health care provider might ask you to submit a couple of stool samples to collect for many days to check if you have a Giardia infection or not.