What is Cryptosporuduosis? Symptoms, causes and more
What is Cryptosporuduosis?
Cryptosporidiosis (crypto) is a disease caused by a parasite. The parasite lives in soil, food, and water. It can also occur on the surface of contaminated feces. You can also become infected by swallowing parasites with your food, drinking water or swimming water. You can also get infected by touching your mouth with contaminated hands.
- The most common symptom of crypto is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms include
- dehydration
- weight loss
- stomach ache
- Fever
- nausea
- Vomit
Contact your doctor if watery diarrhea lasts longer. Most people infected with crypto disease recover without treatment within one to two weeks. But crypto can cause serious problems in people with weakened immune systems, such as HIV/AIDS.
To reduce your risk of crypto, wash your hands often, drink only safe water, wash or peel fresh fruits and vegetables before eating. Center for Disease Control and Prevention
symptoms of cryptosporidiosis :
The following symptoms indicate cryptosporidiosis:
- watery diarrhea
- dehydration
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- Fever
- nausea
- Vomit
It is possible that cryptosporidiosis shows no physical symptoms and is still present in a patient.
Common causes of cryptosporidiosis ;
- The following are the most common causes of cryptosporidiosis:
- eating uncrushed and contaminated food
- use of contaminated water for drinking
- Exposure of hands to a contaminated surface or object
- Risk Factors for Cryptosporidiosis
- The following factors may increase the likelihood of cryptosporidiosis:
- People who are exposed to polluted water
- Children, especially those wearing diapers, who attend child care centers
- parents of infected children
- child care worker
- animal handlers
- 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 unsafe wells
What should I do if I think I may have cryptosporidiosis?
- For diarrhea whose cause has not been determined, the following actions may help relieve symptoms:
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay well hydrated and avoid dehydration. Serious health problems can occur if the body does not maintain proper fluid levels. For some people, diarrhea can be severe resulting in hospitalization due to dehydration.
- Maintain a balanced diet. Doing this can help in quick recovery.
- Avoid beverages that contain caffeine, such as tea, coffee and many soft drinks.
- Avoid alcohol, as it can cause dehydration.
- Contact your health care provider if you suspect you have cryptosporidiosis.
treatment of cryptosporidiosis :
For people with normal immune systems and severe or persistent diarrhea, treatment is with nitazoxanide
For people with AIDS, treatment for HIV infection, plus sometimes nitazoxanide, helps relieve symptoms.
if diarrhea is severe, fluids and an anti-diarrheal medicine
People with healthy immune systems usually recover on their own. If such people have severe or persistent diarrhea, nitazoxanide (an antiparasitic medicine) can help speed recovery.
Nitazoxanide does not treat cryptosporidiosis in people who have AIDS. The most important therapy is to treat HIV infection (with antiretroviral drugs). When such treatments strengthen the weakened immune system, diarrhea usually subsides. While nitazoxanide does not cure cryptosporidiosis in people with AIDS, it can reduce diarrhea and other symptoms. Doctors may also try paromomycin or a combination of paromomycin and azithromycin to help reduce symptoms.
It is not clear how effective nitazoxanide is in people with other causes of a weak immune system, but it may help some people. Unless the immune system problem is corrected, diarrhea may continue throughout life. People with severe diarrhea may need treatment with fluids given by mouth or into a vein and anti-diarrheal medications such as loperamide. However, loperamide may not help people with AIDS.
