Giardiasis - Backcountry water may be safer than you think

Giardia - backcountry villain or overrated pest?  New research indicates that it’s not quite the problem many seem to think.
Some giardia facts and research highlights:

• Giardia cysts are present in almost all water.  Fortunately, they are found in such small concentrations that humans generally do not contract the disease.
• Humans that do have giardiasis (the disease caused by ingesting Giardia cysts) will likely have no symptoms.
• If you do get symptoms, it almost always goes away without treatment.
• You are more likely to get backcountry giardiasis from poor sanitation practices than from drinking tainted water. (Avoid dipping your hand into your partners’ food bag; rather pour food from the bag into your hand).
• You are more likely to get giardiasis from a swimming pool than you are from drinking from a mountain stream.
• Waterless antiseptic hand cleaner may be more important than a filter in preventing Giardiasis on backcountry trips.

See this link for an excellent summary of this new research.