Cryptosporidiosis

Summary

Cryptosporidiosis (crypto) is an illness caused by a parasite. The parasite lives in soil, food, and water. It may also be on surfaces that have been contaminated with feces (poop). You can become infected by swallowing the parasite, if it is in your food, drinking water, or water that you swim in. You can also get it by touching your mouth with contaminated hands.

The most common symptom of crypto is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms include:

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

Contact your health care provider if you have watery diarrhea that lasts more than a few days. Most people with crypto get better without treatment within one to two weeks. But crypto can cause serious problems in people with weak immune systems, like those with HIV/AIDS.

To reduce your risk of crypto, wash your hands often, only drink water that you know is safe, and wash or peel fresh fruits and vegetables before eating.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Find an Expert

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Cryptosporidiosis National Institutes of Health

Start Here

• Cryptosporidium (Crypto) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Diagnosis and Tests

• Cryptosporidium (Crypto) Disease: Diagnosis & Detection Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Ova and Parasite Test National Library of Medicine

Patient Handouts

• Cryptosporidium enteritis Medical Encyclopedia

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Cryptosporidium: A Guide to Water Filters Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Cryptosporidium: Sources of Infection and Risk Factors Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Related Issues

• Cryptosporidium: General Information for People with Weakened Immune Systems Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Parasites and Foodborne Illness Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
• Travelers’ Health: Cryptosporidiosis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Treatments and Therapies

• Cryptosporidium: Treatment Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Journal Articles

• Cryptosporidiosis