 |
What is Cryptosporidiosis? |
Cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic infection transmitted by Cryptosporidium , often referred to as "crypto,".
|
What causes Cryptosporidiosis? |
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that can live in the intestines of humans and animals. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very resistant to chlorine disinfection.
|
How can I become infected with Cryptosporidium? |
This parasitic infection is transmitted after ingestion of fecally contaminated water or food, including water swallowed while swimming, from exposure to fecally contaminated environmental surfaces,and from person to person (e.g.,changing diapers or caring for an infected person), by the fecal-oral route, particularly through sexual behavior.
A person can swallow a crypto oocyst , the infectious stage of the parasite, by swallowing water from swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams contaminated with sewage or feces from humans or animals.
By eating uncooked food contaminated with crypto.
By accidentally swallowing crypto picked up from surfaces (i.e., toys, bathroom fixtures, changing tables, diaper pails) contaminated with stool from an infected person.
|
What are the symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis? |
Symptoms include diarrhea, loose or watery stool, stomach cramps, upset stomach, and a slight fever that normally last 3 to 7 days in immunocompetent individuals. Some people have no symptoms.
In persons with severely weakened immune systems, crypto-sporidiosis is not self-limited and can be fatal.Examples of persons with weakened immune systems include those with HIV/AIDS; cancer and transplant patients who are taking certain immunosuppressive drugs; and those with inherited diseases that affect the immune system.
Symptoms will last about 2 weeks; you may seem to get better, then worse.
|
If I swallowed Cryptosporidium, how quickly would I become sick? |
Symptoms generally begin 2-10 days after being infected.
|
What should I do if I think I have crypto? |
See your health care provider.
|
How is an infection diagnosed? |
Your health care provider will ask you to submit stool samples to see if you are infected. Because testing for crypto can be difficult, you may be asked to submit several stool specimens over several days. Because tests for crypto are not routinely done in most laboratories, your health care provider should specifically request testing for the parasite.
|
Can crypto be treated? |
Not effectively. Most people with a healthy immune system will recover on their own. People who are in poor health or who have a weakened immune system are at higher risk for more severe illness. If you have diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Rapid loss of fluids due to diarrhea can be life-threatening in babies; parents should consult their health care provider about fluid replacement therapy options for babies. Antidiarrheal medicine may help slow down diarrhea, but consult with your health care provider before taking it.
|
How can I prevent cryptosporidiosis? |
Avoid water or food that may be contaminated.
When traveling in countries where the water supply may be unsafe, avoid drinking unsafe water and avoid uncooked foods washed with unsafe tap water
Wash your hands with soap and safe water after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food.
Avoid drinking water from lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams unless it has been filtered and chemically treated.
|
Should I be concerned about spreading infection to the rest of my household? |
Yes. However, the risk of spreading infection is low if the infected person is treated with antibiotics and practices good personal hygiene. This includes thorough hand washing with soap and water after using the toilet and before handling food.
Avoid swimming in pools if you have crypto and for at least 2 weeks after diarrhea stops. Once you feel better, you continue to pass Cryptosporidium in your stool for up to 2 months. During this 2-month period you may spread the infection to others.This has resulted in several outbreaks of crypto among pool users. Crypto can survive in chlorinated pools for several days.
This fact sheet is for information only and is not meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation with a health care provider. If you have any questions about the disease described above or think that you may have another one, consult a health care provider.
