About this topic
Cryptosporidiosis is also called crypto. It is an infection caused by a tiny parasite. Crypto is one of the most common diseases spread by water. The parasite or germ can also live in dirt or food. You get sick when you eat food or drink water that has the germ in it. You can also get sick by touching places where the germ is and then putting your hand or fingers in your mouth. ‚
Once the germ is in your body, you may start to have signs in 2 to 10 days. Your signs can last for 1 to 2 weeks if you are healthy. The signs may last longer if you have a weak immune system. Treatment may include rest, drugs, and extra fluid. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Follow all of your doctors instructions. Take your drugs as ordered.
- Your doctor may give you an oral solution to replace fluid loss. Take sips of this throughout the day.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of liquid each day. This will prevent very bad fluid loss.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. The doctor may want to do more tests to make sure you are getting better. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Prevent or treat infection
- Stop loose stools
- Prevent throwing up
Will physical activity be limited?
You may feel weak because you lose too much fluid. Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities. Ask your doctor about what activities are best for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Stay away from caffeine and foods that are greasy, high in fiber, or sweet.
- Eat soft, bland foods like bananas, plain rice, boiled potatoes, toast, crackers, cooked carrots, and baked chicken without the skin or fat.
- Eat small meals every few hours instead of 3 big meals.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Be careful when swimming.
- Avoid swallowing water while swimming, boating, or doing recreational water activities.
- Protect others by not swimming when you or your child has loose stools. Do not swim for at least 2 weeks after loose stools stop.
- Change diapers in a bathroom, not at poolside.
- Be careful when eating.
- Choose foods that are freshly cooked and served very hot.
- Do not eat food from street vendors.
- Do not eat raw vegetables or fruits. Be careful when eating salads as the produce may have been washed with tap water.
- Eat fruits and vegetables that are peeled or cooked.
- Follow good hygiene habits.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs. This is especially important:
- After using the bathroom or changing diapers
- Before eating
- Before cooking
- After working in dirt
- Keep sick children away from daycare. This will prevent spreading the infection to others.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of fluid loss. These include dark-colored urine or no urine for more than 8 hours, dry mouth and tongue, dry skin, sunken eyes, lack of energy, feeling faint, or passing out.
- Loose stools for more than 2 days
- Very bad pain in the belly
- High fever
- Stool has blood or pus
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet.
- I can tell you what things I will do to avoid getting this infection again.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have belly pain, loose stools, or fever.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto ‚
National Foundation for Infectious Diseases ‚
http://www.nfid.org/publications/factsheets/cryptosporidium.pdf ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚