What are the symptoms of Cryptosporidium?
What are the symptoms of Cryptosporidium?
What are the symptoms?
- Watery diarrhea.
- Stomach cramps.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss.
- Slight fever.
- Vomiting.
What disease is caused by Cryptosporidium parvum?
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis. Both the parasite and the disease are commonly known as “Crypto.”
How is Cryptosporidium transmitted to humans?
Cryptosporidiosis is most often spread by: Swallowing recreational water (water in swimming pools, waterparks, fountains, lakes, rivers) contaminated with cryptosporidiosis. Drinking untreated water from a lake or river that is contaminated. Swallowing contaminated water, ice, or beverages.
What happens if Cryptosporidium is left untreated?
Young children and pregnant women may be more likely to get dehydrated because of their diarrhea so they should drink plenty of fluids while ill. People with severely weakened immune systems are at risk for more serious disease. Symptoms may be more severe and could lead to serious or life-threatening illness.
Is cryptosporidium infection contagious?
Cryptosporidiosis can be very contagious. The infected person can infect others when symptoms begin and for several weeks after the symptoms disappear. Infected persons who do not have symptoms can still infect others.
How is Cryptosporidium diagnosed?
Diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis is made by examination of stool samples. Because detection of Cryptosporidium can be difficult, patients may be asked to submit several stool samples over several days.
Is Crypto parasite contagious?
What medication kills Cryptosporidium?
Currently, nitazoxanide is the only proven anti-parasitic treatment for Cryptosporidium infections. However, it is not effective in severely immunocompromised patients and there is limited data in infants. Immune reconstitution or decreased immunosuppression is critical to therapy in AIDS and transplant patients.
Can cryptosporidiosis be cured?
For those persons with HIV/AIDS, anti-retroviral therapy that improves the immune status will also decrease or eliminate symptoms of cryptosporidiosis. However, even if symptoms disappear, cryptosporidiosis is often not curable and the symptoms may return if the immune status worsens.
