Pronounced: KRIP-toe-spo-rid-ee-OH-sis
Cryptosporidiosis is an infection of the intestine. It can cause severe diarrhea .
Most healthy adults recover from this infection in a few weeks. It can be life threatening for young children, the elderly, and very sick people.
It is caused by a parasite called Cryptosporidium parvum . These parasites live in the intestines of infected people and animals. They can also contaminate objects and surfaces that people touch. They may also be in soil where food is grown. The parasite can also be in recreational waters where people swim.
The infection is caused by swallowing the parasite. When the parasite enters your intestine, it comes out of its shell. It will multiply and may cause an infection. Eventually, it is passed from your body through a bowel movement.
Some sources of cryptosporidiosis are:
People who are at increased risk for cryptosporidiosis include:
Symptoms usually begin about a week after infection. Some people will not have any.
Symptoms consist mainly of:
The symptoms may come and go before you are finally better.
Your doctor will take one or more stool samples. They will be sent to a lab to be examined.
People with healthy immune systems usually recover without needing treatment. Recovery can take several weeks. It may take up to one month. If you have severe diarrhea, you may be given:
People with a weakened immune system have a greater risk of getting this infection. People with AIDS have this higher risk. They are also likely to have a more severe and longer infection. They may become permanently infected.
There are several important measures you can take to lower your risk of getting cryptosporidiosis:
RESOURCES:
AIDSinfo
http://www.aids.info.nih.gov
AIDS Treatment Data Network
http://www.atdn.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Prevention Information Network
http://www.cdcnpin.org
National Center for Infectious Diseases
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
National Institutes of Health
http://www.niaid.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian HIV/AIDS Information Centre
http://www.aidssida.cpha.ca
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca
References:
Beers MH, Fletcher AJ, Jones TV, et al. The Merck Manual of Medical Information: Second Home Edition . Merck Research Laboratories: Whitehouse Station, NJ; 2003.
Cryptosporidiosis. Directors of Health Promotion and Education website. Available at www.astdhpphe.org/infect/crypto.html. Accessed September 19, 2005.
Cryptosporidiosis: a simple fact sheet. AIDS Treatment Data Network website. Available at www.atdn.org/simple/crypto.html. Accessed September 19, 2005.
Cryptosporidium infection. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/cryptosporidiosis/factsht_cryptosporidiosis.htm. Accessed September 19, 2005.
Last reviewed January 2009 by David L. Horn, MD, FACP
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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