Safety Tidbit 4.30 - Cryptosporidium

Safety Tidbit 4.30 – Cryptosporidium

Reference: CDC General Information Page

Crypto has become one of the most common causes of waterborne disease (recreational water and drinking water) in humans in the United States. The parasite is found in every region of the United States and throughout the world.  Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites, Cryptosporidium, that can live in the intestine of humans and animals and is passed in the stool of an infected person or animal. You can become infected after accidentally swallowing the parasite. Cryptosporidium may be found in soil, food, water, or surfaces that have been contaminated with the feces from infected humans or animals.  To make matters worse, the parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time. The outer shell also makes it very resistant to chlorine-based disinfectants.

Crypto can be spread:

• By putting something in your mouth or accidentally swallowing something that has come into contact with stool of a person or animal infected with Crypto.
• By swallowing recreational water contaminated with Crypto. Recreational water is water in swimming pools, hot tubs, Jacuzzis, fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams. Recreational water can be contaminated with sewage or feces from humans or animals.
• By swallowing water or beverages contaminated with stool from infected humans or animals.
• By eating uncooked food contaminated with Crypto. Thoroughly wash with uncontaminated water all vegetables and fruits you plan to eat raw. See below for information on making water safe.
• By touching your mouth with contaminated hands. Hands can become contaminated through a variety of activities, such as touching surfaces (e.g., toys, bathroom fixtures, changing tables, diaper pails) that have been contaminated by stool from an infected person, changing diapers, caring for an infected person, changing diapers, caring for an infected person.

Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis generally begin 2 to 10 days (average 7 days) after becoming infected with the parasite. The most common symptom of cryptosporidiosis is watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, dehydration. The symptoms generally last 1-2 weeks. If you suspect you may have crypto see your physician immediately.

Hope this was helpful and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

P.S. If you have a new safety or health question, please let me know.