You've Got What? Cryptosporidium infection
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Cryptosporidium infection (cryptosporidiosis or 'crypto') is an infection of the bowel caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium which can result in gastroenteritis (also known as 'gastro').
Cryptosporidium infection is a notifiable condition1
The Cryptosporidium parasite may be transmitted person-to-person. Infection is also spread:
The parasite must be taken in by the mouth to cause infection.
The main symptom is watery diarrhoea which occurs with stomach cramps. Fever, vomiting and loss of appetite occur less commonly. Symptoms in people with normal immune systems usually last for about 1 to 2 weeks. People with severe immune suppression, particularly those with advanced HIV infection, may have severe, prolonged diarrhoea.
The infection is diagnosed by examining a specimen of faeces under a microscope or by detecting Cryptosporidium in a faecal sample using a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test in a pathology laboratory.
(time between becoming infected and developing symptoms)
1 to 12 days with an average of 7 days.
(time during which an infected person can infect others)
As soon as the infected person develops symptoms and for up to several weeks after the disappearance of symptoms.
For those with normal immune systems, specific treatment is not required.
There is no available effective treatment for reducing diarrhoea in people with immune suppression.
The following are general recommendations for the treatment of gastroenteritis:
Seek medical advice if there are any of the following symptoms:
1 - In South Australia the law requires doctors and laboratories to report some infections or diseases to SA Health. These infections or diseases are commonly referred to as 'notifiable conditions'.