What symptom is associated with Giardia lamblia infection?

Giardia lamblia infection, also known as giardiasis, is primarily associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, and steatorrhoea is notably one of the hallmark signs of this condition. Steatorrhoea refers to the presence of excess fat in the stool, which occurs due to malabsorption. Giardia lamblia affects the small intestine, leading to inflammation and impaired absorption of nutrients, including fats. As a result, when fat is improperly digested and absorbed, it causes stools to appear greasy, foul-smelling, and difficult to flush.

In contrast, while fever and chills, bloody diarrhea, and nausea and vomiting can occur in various gastrointestinal infections or conditions, they are not specifically or commonly associated with Giardia lamblia. For instance, fever is often more related to bacterial infections, bloody diarrhea typically suggests other pathogens like Shigella or Entamoeba histolytica, and while nausea and vomiting may accompany some gastrointestinal disorders, they are not the defining features of giardiasis. Therefore, the presence of steatorrhoea is a key symptom that distinctly highlights infection with Giardia lamblia.