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For more information, please contact the Infectious Disease Control Team:
- 519-663-5317 Ext. 2330
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What is Cryptosporidiosis (Crypto)? Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal illness caused by a parasite, Cryptosporidium parvum. The parasite lives in the intestines of humans and animals and is passed in the stool of an infected animal (especially cattle and sheep) or person. The parasite is able to survive outside of the body for a long time because it has an outer shell that protects it. This shell makes the parasite very resistant to chlorine disinfection.
For more information, please contact the Infectious Disease Control Team:
Some people who are infected with Cryptosporidiosis do not show any symptoms. Other people will have watery diarrhea lasting 1 to 2 weeks, stomach cramps, nausea, loss of appetite and vomiting especially in children.
Symptoms will usually develop between one to 12 days (average seven days) after swallowing the parasite.
In healthy people, the illness will usually last one to two weeks. Symptoms may come and go within this time period. In people with weakened immune systems, infection can be chronic and life threatening.
The most common way that Cryptosporidium is spread is through drinking water or recreational water. Infection happens after swallowing the parasite. It may also be found in soil, food or surfaces that have been contaminated with the feces from an infected human or animal. Cryptosporidium can be spread:
If you are sick with crypto and you:
stay off of work until you are 24 hours symptom free in order to prevent spreading the illness to others.