What is cryptosporidiosis?
Cryptosporidiosis (krip-toe-spo-rid-e-O-sis) is a disease caused by a microscopic parasite, or germ, called Cryptosporidium parvum. Both the disease and the germ are often called "crypto".
What are the symptoms of crypto?
Most people who get crypto have:
- watery diarrhea
- stomach cramps
- an upset stomach
- low grade fever
- weight loss from severe diarrhea
How does crypto affect someone with AIDS or HIV?
Crypto can cause severe illness for a long time in people infected with HIV. You can die from crypto. If your CD4 cell count is below 200, crypto may give you symptoms for a long time. If your CD4 cell count is above 200, your symptoms may last only 1 to 3 weeks. But even after your symptoms go away, you may still be carrying crypto. If you are carrying crypto, even without symptoms, you can give it to someone else. Also, your own symptoms may come back if your CD4 cell count later drops below 200.
How is crypto spread?
Crypto is spread by having contact with feces containing crypto. Crypto is NOT spread by contact with blood. You can get crypto by putting anything in your mouth that has touched the feces of a person or animal infected with crypto.
Imporatant note: You can’t tell by looking whether something has been in contact with feces, so you need to be aware of what these things may be. Things likely to be contaminated with feces are:
- skin around a person’s anus
- skin or fur of farm animals and household pets
- cat litter boxes
- children in diapers
- clothing, bedding, toilets, or bed pans used by someone with diarrhea
- dirt in gardens, sand boxes, yards, parks, etc. where animals may have had bowel movements
- uncooked or unwashed food
- water for bathing, swimming, or drinking especial when traveling abroad.
Can crypto be treated?
Yes, but no drug cures it. Anti-retroviral medicines (HIV medicines) will decrease or get rid of crypto symptoms. However, crypto is usually not cured and may come back if the immune system gets weaker. Some drugs, such as paromomycin (par-o-mo-MI-sin) may reduce the symptoms of crypto. If you suspect you may have crypto, talk with your health care provider. If you have diarrhea, you might become dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Oral rehydration drinks work well.
Page two will show you how to protect yourself from crypto. Read more...
