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Cryptosporidium
Have You Experienced Cryptosporidium?
Cryptosporidium is a common diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites. Once an animal or person becomes infected, the parasite lives in the intestine and passes in the stool. 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-based disinfectants. The disease and the parasite are both commonly referred to as crypto. Over the past two decades, crypto has become one of the most common causes of waterborne and foodborne diseases within humans in the United States. The parasite may be found in drinking water and recreational water in every region of the United States.Cryptosporidium can be found in soil, food, water, or surfaces that have already been contaminated with infected human or animal feces. If a person swallows the parasite they become infected. You cannot become infected through contact with blood. The parasite can be spread additionally by:
- Accidentally putting something into your mouth or swallowing something that has come into contact with feces of a person or animal infected with Cryptosporidium.
- Swallowing recreational water contaminated with Cryptosporidium (Recreational water includes water in swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis, fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams that can be contaminated with sewage or feces from humans or animals.) Note: Cryptosporidium can survive for days in swimming pools with adequate chlorine levels.
- Eating uncooked food contaminated with Cryptosporidium. Thoroughly wash with clean, safe water all vegetables and fruits you plan to eat raw. See below for information on making water safe.
- Accidentally swallowing Cryptosporidium picked up from surfaces (such as bathroom fixtures, changing tables, diaper pails, or toys) contaminated with feces from an infected person.
Symptoms generally begin 2 to 10 days (average 7 days) after becoming infected with the parasite. In persons with healthy immune systems, symptoms usually last about 1 to 2 weeks. The symptoms may go in cycles in which you may seem to get better for a few days, then feel worse again before the illness ends. Common symptoms include:
- Watery diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Weight loss
- Stomach cramps or pain
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Children who attend day care centers, including diaper-aged children
- Childcare workers
- Parents of infected children
- International travelers
- Backpackers, hikers, and campers who drink unfiltered, untreated water
- Swimmers who swallow water while swimming in swimming pools, lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams
- People who drink from shallow, unprotected wells
- People who swallow water from contaminated sources
- People who have eaten uncooked foods
CryptosporidiumRSS Feed
Giardia, Cryptosporidium Found in Alamosa Water
Apr 10, 2008 | Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
Yesterday, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment received results of water sampling in Alamosa that were performed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and revealed the presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium, in addition the Salmonella already being addressed. The two parasites can cause diarrheal illness.Last month, the water supply in Alamosa—an area in Colorado—became tainted with the salmonella bacteria, rendering the water there...
Baby's Bliss Gripe Water, Chinese Made Supplement Subjects of Health Canada Alert
Jan 3, 2008 | Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water and Zhong Ti Xiao Er Jian Pi San, a product imported from China, are both the subject of a Health Canada alert this morning. The products, which are touted as natural remedies for stomach ailments in children, have been found to be contaminated. The Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water is tainted with the parasite Cryptosporidium, while the Zhong Ti Xiao Er Jian Pi San has been found to be contaminated with an unspecified microbial. The...
Baby's Bliss Gripe Water Recalled Due to Cryptosporidium Contamination. Parasite May Have Sickened At Least One Infant.
Sep 21, 2007 | Parker Waichman Alonso, LLP
Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water, a drink sold as an antidote to colic and other ailments that plague infants, is being recalled because it is contaminated with the intestinal parasite Cryptosporidium. The Food & Drug Administration ordered the recall after a 6-week old infant became sick after drinking Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water.Cryptosporidium is a parasite that lives in the intestines of infected humans or infants. The parasite is found in soil, food, water or on...
CDC says some foodborne illnesses rose in 2006
Apr 12, 2007 | www.cidrap.umn.edu
Preliminary data from 2006 show that foodborne illnesses caused by Escherichia coli and Vibrio rose, while cases caused by other pathogens leveled off or slowly declined, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today. The data come from the CDC's FoodNet surveillance system, which covers about 15% of the US population and collects information from 10 states. A report detailing the 2006 findings appears in the Apr 13 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. ...
Food Poisoning
Quick Facts
Cryptosporidium Reference Guide
What Is Cryptosporidium?
Microscopic parasites
How Spread
Swallwoing contaminated water
Eating uncooked food
Symptoms
Diarrhea
Dehydration
Weight loss
Stomach cramps or pain
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Those at Risk
Children at daycare
Childcare workers
Parents of infected children
International travelers
Backpackers
Hikers
Swimmers
Related Topics
Campylobacter
Cyclospora
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