What is cryptosporidiosis?
Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites of Cryptosporidium. Once an animal or person is infected, the parasite lives in the intestine and passes in the stool. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very resistant to chlorine- based disinfectants. Both the disease and the parasite are commonly known as "crypto." If you suspect that you have cryptosporidiosis, see your health care provider.

How is cryptosporidiosis spread?
Cryptosporidium lives in the intestine of infected humans or animals. Millions of crypto germs can be released in a bowel movement from an infected human or animal. Consequently, Cryptosporidium is found in soil, food, water, or surfaces that have been contaminated with infected human or animal feces. If a person swallows the parasite they become infected. You cannot become infected through contact with blood. The parasite can be spread by

• Accidentally putting something into your mouth or swallowing something that has come into contact with feces of a person or animal infected with Cryptosporidium.
• Swallowing recreational water contaminated with Cryptosporidium (Recreational water includes water in swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis, fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams that can be contaminated with sewage or feces from humans or animals.) Note: Cryptosporidium can survive for days in swimming pools with adequate chlorine levels.
• Eating uncooked food contaminated with Cryptosporidium. Thoroughly wash with clean, safe water all vegetables and fruits you plan to eat raw. See below for information on making water safe.
• Accidentally swallowing Cryptosporidium picked up from surfaces (such as bathroom fixtures, changing tables, diaper pails, or toys) contaminated with feces from an infected person.

What are the symptoms?
The most common symptom of cryptosporidiosis is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms include:

• Dehydration
• Weight loss
• Stomach cramps or pain
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Some people with crypto will have no symptoms at all. While the small intestine is the site most commonly affected , Cryptosporidium infections could possibly affect other areas of the digestive or the respiratory tract.

How is it treated?
If you think you have cryptosporidiosis, or any persistent diarrhea see your family doctor for testing, advice and follow-up. You will be asked to submit a stool sample for testing. Your doctor will give you treatment advice to suit your particular needs, which may include medications to stop the diarrhea. People with cryptosporidiosis should drink fluids to prevent dehydration.

How can I prevent getting cryptosporidiosis?

• If your local Medical Health Officer has issued a Boil Water Advisory or notice for your community water system, follow the precautions.
• If you have a weakened immune system, you should discuss your risk of cryptosporidiosis with your doctor. This includes people with HIV/AIDS, cancer and transplant patients taking immunosuppressive drugs. People who wish to take extra precautions can boil their drinking water.
• Do not drink untreated surface water from a spring, stream, river, lake, pond or shallow well. It is likely contaminated with animal feces. When camping do not relieve yourself within 100 feet of a water source.
• Do not drink unpasteurized milk or juices.
• Avoid uncooked food or drinks prepared with untreated water, especially during international travel.
• Wash your hands before eating and handling food, and after using the toilet, changing diapers, or after touching animals.
• Make sure children, especially those who handle pets, wash their hands carefully before eating and on a regular basis.
• Avoid contact with feces during sexual activity.

There are two ways to remove Cryptosporidium from water:

1. Boiling: Boil or filter water from sources that are used for drinking, making ice cubes, washing uncooked fruits and vegetables, making baby formula, brushing teeth or rinsing dentures. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute and then allow it to cool. At elevations over 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) you should boil water for at least two minutes to disinfect. Boiling will not purify water that is heavily polluted or chemically contaminated.
2. Filtering: To remove Cryptosporidium oocysts, filters must have an absolute pore size of one micron or be certified by an organization accredited by the National Standards Foundation (NSF) for oocyst removal. Jug-type water filters will not remove Cryptosporidium. Some built-in water filtration systems will remove Cryptosporidium, but they need regular and thorough maintenance to work well. Information on certification of treatment devices is available at www.scc.ca/.

Other types of water treatment units, such as distillation units and combination (filtration and ultraviolet) units are also available. Check with local water purification suppliers or your local environmental health officer for more detailed information.

Cryptosporidium are resistant to chlorine. Treating water with chlorine will NOT remove the parasite.

For more information visit:

Health Canada: Giardia and cryptosporidium

CDC: Cryptosporidium infection