Key points
- Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite.
- People can get sick from eating food or drinking water contaminated with Cyclospora.
- Most people can recover from cyclosporiasis without treatment, but symptoms may last a long time. Certain antibiotics can treat the illness.
- Contact your healthcare provider if you have symptoms, including watery diarrhea, cramping, and loss of appetite.
Overview
Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora. You can become infected by consuming food or water that contains the parasite. Cyclosporiasis is not usually life-threatening, but it can make some people very sick
Signs and symptoms
If you have cyclosporiasis, you may or may not experience symptoms. The Cyclospora parasite infects the small intestine and can cause watery and sometimes frequent diarrhea.
If not treated, cyclosporiasis may last from a few days to more than a month. Symptoms may seem to go away and then return one or more times.
Timing
The time between becoming infected and becoming sick is usually about one week but can range from 2 days to 2 weeks or more.
Risk factors
Anyone can get cyclosporiasis if they eat food or drink water that is contaminated with the Cyclospora parasite. Children, people with weakened immune systems, and older people may experience more severe illness or complications from severe dehydration.
You could be at an increased risk for infection if you live or travel in a tropical or subtropical region of the world where cyclosporiasis is more common.
Cyclosporiasis is less common Iin the United States, but outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of fresh produce.
How it spreads
Cyclospora spreads when people eat food or drink water that is contaminated with human poop (feces or stool).
It takes Cyclospora around 1 to 2 weeks after passing in a bowel movement and outside the body to become infectious. This means that spread directly from person to person is unlikely.
Prevention
The best way to reduce your risk for cyclosporiasis is to follow safe food handling practices.
- Wash your hands and any fresh produce thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking.
- Cook produce to a temperature of at least 158 °F (70°C), since washing alone can't guarantee the parasite's removal.
- Stay up to date on food recalls and outbreaks. Do not eat recalled food.
Diagnosis
See your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of cyclosporiasis. They may request a specific lab test of your stool for Cyclospora because routine stool testing doesn't look for the parasite. You may have to submit several stool samples on different days.
Treatment
Most people with healthy immune systems will eventually recover from cyclosporiasis without treatment. However, if not treated, you may be sick for anywhere from a few days to a month or longer. Cyclosporiasis is treated with antibiotics. It's important that you rest and drink plenty of fluids if you have diarrhea.
What CDC is doing
CDC monitors cyclosporiasis cases in the United States and helps state health departments identify and investigate outbreaks to prevent additional cases.
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