Also called: Also called: Crypto
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 waste. You can become infected if you swallow the parasite.
The most common symptom of crypto is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms include
- Dehydration
- Weight loss
- Stomach cramps or pain
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Most people with crypto get better with no treatment, but crypto can cause serious problems in people with weak immune systems such as in people with AIDS. To reduce your risk of crypto, wash your hands often, avoid water that may be infected, and wash or peel fresh fruits and vegetables before eating.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- "Crypto" - Cryptosporidiosis(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/crypto/
- Cryptosporidiosis Under-Recognized in the Elderly(04/24/2009, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83383.html
- O&P Test(American Association for Clinical Chemistry) - http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/op/test.html
- Cryptosporidiosis Treatment(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/crypto/treatment.html
- Cryptosporidiosis Prevention - Immunocompromised Persons(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/crypto/factsheets/prevent_ic.html
- Preventing Cryptosporidiosis: A Guide to Water Filters(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/crypto/factsheets/filters.html
- Cryptosporidiosis: Health Information for International Travel(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-Cryptosporidiosis.aspx
- Cryptosporidium Infection and Animals(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/cryptosporidiosis.htm
- Parasites and Foodborne Illness(Dept. of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service) - http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Parasites_and_Foodborne_Illness/index.asp
- What Is Crypto?(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/cryptofacts.htm
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Cryptosporidiosis
(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Cryptosporidiosis%22
- Article: The epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis in New Zealand, 1997-2006. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19319168&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Quantitative evaluation of infectivity change of Cryptosporidium parvum after gamma... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19290085&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Cryptosporidium species in HIV-infected individuals in India: an overview. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19267039&tool=MedlinePlus
- Cryptosporidiosis -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=cryptosporidiosis[mh]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-borne, and Enteric Diseases, Division of Parasitic Diseases(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/
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National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/
- Drinking Water - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drinkingwater.html
- Parasitic Diseases - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/parasiticdiseases.html
- Immune System - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/immunesystem.html
- Infections - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/infections.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Cryptosporidiosis is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - http://www.niaid.nih.gov/