What are the symptoms of cryptosporidiosis?
All people are presumed susceptible to infection with Cryptosporidium. In healthy individuals with normal immune systems, signs and symptoms generally persist for two weeks or less. However, immunocompromised persons (those with weak immune systems) may have severe and long lasting illness. Some examples of immunocompromised people are those receiving cancer chemotherapy, kidney dialysis or steroid therapy, people with HIV/AIDS and patients with Crohn’s disease.
The major symptoms are watery diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Vomiting and low-grade fever may occur. Symptoms may come and go and generally last for two weeks, but may continue for a month. However, it is possible for people to be infected with Cryptosporidium parvum and not have any symptoms of the disease. Can cryptosporidiosis cause severe problems? In persons who lack normal immune function, cryptosporidiosis can cause severe, life-threatening diarrhea and has been associated with liver and gall bladder disease. Persons at the greatest risk for severe problems include those having HIV infection, receiving cancer chemotherapy, or taking drugs that suppress the immune system. How soon after exposure do symptoms occur? After exposure, illness may occur in about two to ten days, with an average onset of symptoms of seven days. How is cryptosporidiosis spread? People or animals become infected by swallowing the egg-like oocysts (pronounced “oh-uh-sist”) of Cryptosporidium parvum. This
The most common symptom of cryptosporidiosis is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms include: • Stomach cramps or pain • Dehydration • Nausea • Vomiting • Fever • Weight loss Some people with Crypto will have no symptoms at all. While the small intestine is the site most commonly affected, Crypto infections could possibly affect other areas of the digestive tract or the respiratory tract.
