Cryptosporidiosis: Truth, Treatment, and Prevention

Published: 2015-06-28 years Updated: 2017-06-25
Author: Thomas C. Weiss | Contact: Disabled-World.com
Peer-reviewed publications: N / A
Move in: Main announcement | Publications

Summary: Information regarding Cryptosporidiosis (cryptocurrency), a form of disease caused by microscopic bacteria with the common symptom of watery diarrhea.

advertisement

Main announcement

Cryptosporidiosis or, ‘bile disease’, is a form of disease that causes a person to have watery diarrhea. It is caused by microscopic germs; parasite called, ‘Cryptosporidium.’ While cryptocurrencies can affect anyone, certain groups are more likely to develop serious illness. For people with weakened immune systems, symptoms can be severe and can lead to life-threatening illness. Examples of people with weakened immune systems include people with AIDS, people with inherited forms of diseases that affect their immune systems, as well as transplant and cancer patients who are taking a cancer treatment. certain immunosuppressive drugs.

Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis usually begin within 2-10 days after a person is infected with the parasite. The most common symptom of cryptosporidiosis is watery diarrhea. Additional symptoms may include the following:

Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis usually begin 2 to 10 days (average 7 days) after infection with the parasite. The most common symptom of cryptosporidiosis is watery diarrhea. Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Dehydration
• Stomach pain or cramps

Interestingly, some crypto users will not experience any symptoms. The symptoms people experience usually last for a week or two; at least in people with healthy immune systems. Sometimes, people may experience a relapse of symptoms after a short period of recovery before the illness stops. Symptoms may appear and last up to a month.

Although a person’s small intestine is most commonly affected, in immunocompromised individuals, cryptosporidium infections can affect other areas of a person’s respiratory or digestive tract. People with weakened immune systems can develop chronic, serious illness or even death. Examples of people with weakened immune systems include:

• People with AIDS
• People with genetic diseases that affect their immune system
• Transplant and cancer patients who are taking certain immunosuppressive drugs

The risk of developing severe illness can vary, depending on how immunocompromised an individual is.

Diagnosis and detection of Cryptosporidiosis

The diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis is made through examining a person’s stool sample. Due to the fact that detecting cryptosporidium can be difficult, a person may be asked to submit several stool samples over a period of several days. Most of the time, stool samples are examined microscopically using various techniques such as direct fluorescent antibodies (DFA), acid-fast staining, or enzymatic immunoassays to detect cryptosporidium antigens.

Molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are increasingly used in reference diagnostic laboratories because they can be used to identify cryptosporidium at the species level. Tests for cryptosporidium are not routinely performed in most laboratories. Due to this fact, healthcare providers should specifically request parasite testing.

Sources of infection and risk factors

Crypto lives in the intestines of infected animals or people. Animals or people infected with cryptosporidium parasites in their feces. Millions of crypto parasites can be shed in the intestinal tract of an infected person or animal. Molting begins when symptoms begin and can last for weeks after symptoms have ended. A person can get an infection after accidentally ingesting the parasite. Crypto can be found in food, soil, water, or on surfaces that have been contaminated with the feces of infected animals or people. Cryptocurrencies are not spread by contact with blood, although it can be spread by:

• Swallowing water or beverages contaminated with feces from an infected animal or person
• Swallowing crypto-contaminated recreational drinks; Recreational water may be contaminated with feces or sewage from animals or humans
• Putting something in your mouth or accidentally swallowing something that has come in contact with the feces of an infected animal or person
• Consumption of uncooked food contaminated with crypt; All vegetables and fruits you intend to eat raw should be thoroughly washed with uncontaminated water

A person can also touch their mouth with contaminated hands. Hands can become contaminated through a number of activities. These activities may include:

• Changing diapers
• Taking care of an infected person
• Handling infected animals such as calves or cows
• Touching surfaces such as bathroom furniture, toys, diaper bins, or changing tables that have been contaminated with feces from an infected person

People who are more exposed to contaminated materials have a higher risk of infection. These people may include the following:

• Child care worker
• International travelers
• People who handle infected livestock
• Parents of infected children
• Children go to childcare center
• People who swallow water from contaminated sources
• People exposed to human feces through sex
• Carers of others with cryptosporidiosis
• People who drink from untreated, dry and unprotected wells
• Hikers, campers and backpackers drink unfiltered and untreated water

Contaminated water can include unfiltered or boiled water, as well as contaminated recreational water sources. Several outbreaks of community-wide cryptosporidiosis have been linked to drinking city or recreational water contaminated with cryptosporidium.

The Cryptosporidium parasite is found in every region of the United States and worldwide today. People traveling to developing countries may be at higher risk of infection because of poorer water treatment and food hygiene, although cryptosporidiosis occurs around the world. In the US, an estimated 748,000 new cases of cryptosporidiosis occur each year. Once infected, people with compromised immunity are most at risk for severe illness. The risk of developing serious illness can vary depending on how immunocompromised an individual is.

Treatment of Cryptosporidiosis

Most people with healthy immune systems will recover on their own without treatment. Diarrhea can be controlled by drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. People who are in poor health, or have weakened immune systems, are more at risk for longer and more severe illness. Pregnant women and young children may be more susceptible to dehydration from diarrhea and should drink plenty of fluids when sick. Rapid dehydration from diarrhea can be especially life-threatening for an infant. Therefore, parents should talk with their healthcare provider about fluid replacement therapy options for their infants.

Antidiarrheal medications can help slow the course of diarrhea, although it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider before taking these medications. Nitazoxanide has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of diarrhea caused by cryptosporidium in people with healthy immune systems and is available by prescription. The effectiveness of nitazoxanide in people with weakened immune systems remains unclear.

HIV-positive people who suspect they have cryptosporidiosis should contact their healthcare provider. For people with AIDS, antiretroviral therapy that improves a person’s immune status will also reduce or even eliminate symptoms of cryptosporidiosis. Even if a person’s symptoms disappear; however, cryptosporidiosis is usually not curable and symptoms can return if the person’s immune status worsens.

Crypto and Good Hygiene Practice

Hand washing is important; Wet hands with clean running water and apply soap. Lather on all surfaces of hands and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Rinse with clean running water and dry with a clean towel or air dry. It is important to wash your hands:

• After going to the toilet
• Before preparing or consuming food
• After handling an animal or its droppings
• After gardening, whether you wear gloves or not
• Before and after caring for someone with diarrhea
• After changing a diaper or wiping a child who has gone to the toilet

It is important to note that alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not effectively kill cryptosporidium. In child care centers, it is important to exclude children with diarrhea from child care until their diarrhea stops. While you’re at the pool, don’t swallow water and take your child to the bathroom every hour, or check his diaper every half hour or hour. Protect others by not swimming if you have diarrhea.

Author credentials:

Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses for a Master’s, Bachelor’s and two Associate’s degrees, as well as studying Disability Studies. As a Nursing Assistant, Thomas has supported people of many racial, religious, gender, class and age groups by providing care to people with all forms of disabilities. disability from Multiple Sclerosis to Parkinson’s; paralysis and quadriplegia for spina bifida.

Disability World is an independent disability community founded in 2004 to provide disability news and information to people with disabilities, seniors, their families and/or carers. . Check out our homepage for helpful news, reviews, sports, stories and guides. You can also connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or learn more about Disability World on our about us page.

advertisement

Disability World provides general information only. The documents presented are never meant to be a substitute for the professional medical care of a qualified physician, and they should not be construed as such. Financial assistance is obtained from advertisements or referral programs, if specified. Any 3rd party offers or advertisements do not constitute an endorsement.

• Citation of this Page (APA): Thomas C. Weiss. (2015, June 28). Cryptosporidiosis: Facts, Treatment, and Prevention. The world of people with disabilities. Accessed October 23, 2022 from www.disabled-world.com/health/cryptosporidium.php

• Permalinks: Cryptosporidiosis: Truth, Treatment, and Prevention