Cryptosporidiosis

Also called: Crypto

Cryptosporidiosis (crypto) is an illness caused by a parasite. The parasite lives in soil, food, and water. It may also be on surfaces that have been contaminated with feces (poop). You can become infected by swallowing the parasite, if it is in your food, drinking water, or water that you swim in. You can also get it by touching your mouth with contaminated hands.

The most common symptom of crypto is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms include

Dehydration
Weight loss
Stomach cramps or pain
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting

Contact your health care provider if you have watery diarrhea that lasts more than a few days. Most people with crypto get better without treatment within one to two weeks. But crypto can cause serious problems in people with weak immune systems, like those with HIV/AIDS.

To reduce your risk of crypto, wash your hands often, only drink water that you know is safe, and wash or peel fresh fruits and vegetables before eating.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis

The following features are indicative of Cryptosporidiosis:

watery diarrhea
dehydration
lack of appetite
weight loss
fever
nausea
vomiting

It is possible that Cryptosporidiosis shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

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Common Causes of Cryptosporidiosis

The following are the most common causes of Cryptosporidiosis:

eating uncooked and contaminated food
use of contaminated water for drinking
exposure of hands to contaminated surface or object

Risk Factors for Cryptosporidiosis

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Cryptosporidiosis:

individuals who are exposed to contaminated water
children, particularly those wearing diapers, who attend child care centers
parents of infected children
child care workers
animal handlers
those who engage in oral-to-anal sexual activity
international travelers
backpackers, hikers and campers who drink untreated and unfiltered water
swimmers who swallow water in pools, lakes and rivers
people who drink water from shallow or unprotected wells

Prevention of Cryptosporidiosis

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Cryptosporidiosis. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:

practice good hygiene
thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables with uncontaminated water
drink purified water
limit swimming activities in lakes, streams and public swimming pools
avoid fecal exposure
wash hands after handling the animals

Occurrence of Cryptosporidiosis

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Cryptosporidiosis cases seen each year worldwide:

Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Cryptosporidiosis most commonly occurs in the following age group:

Aged between 1-10 years

Common Gender

Cryptosporidiosis can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Cryptosporidiosis

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Cryptosporidiosis:

Acid-staining test: To identify cryptosporidium under a microscope
Stool culture: To rule out other bacterial pathogens

Doctor for Diagnosis of Cryptosporidiosis

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis:

Infectious disease specialist

Complications of Cryptosporidiosis if untreated

Yes, Cryptosporidiosis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Cryptosporidiosis is left untreated:

malabsorption
severe dehydration
significant weight loss
inflammation of a bile duct
inflammation of the gallbladder, liver or pancreas

Self-care for Cryptosporidiosis

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Cryptosporidiosis:

Practice good hygiene: Helps in preventing the transmission of the cryptosporidium germs
Purify drinking water: Helps in fighting against the infection
Limit swimming activities: Helps in fighting the infection

Time for Treatment of Cryptosporidiosis

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Cryptosporidiosis to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision: