Cryptosporidium Symptoms & Cryptosporidiosis Parasite Treatment – Parvum Infection

Most people realize that thoroughly washing produce before eating is essential.  Now, it seems that evidence is growing that fresh produce is prone to carrying the Cryptosporidium parasite.  This has been observed in spinach, where parvum oocytes were found to adhere strongly to the plants, even after thorough washing.  This raises questions about the potential hazards of fresh produce being contaminated with Cryptosporidium and other bacteria.  This would probably be due to fruits and vegetables coming in contact with contaminated water, which is where Cryptosporidium usually originates.  It only takes about 9 or 10 oocytes to infect a healthy person.

It seems that leafy vegetables like spinach are at higher Cryptosporidium risks, because their leaves protect the parasites.  Water used to irrigate crops may contain Cryptosporidium which is how produce becomes tainted.  In fact, it has been estimated that about 36% of water used to irrigate crops in Central America and the United States contains these pathogens.

Foodborne outbreaks of Cryptosporidium may be caused by food handlers in restaurants and other foodservice facilities.  Individuals who are infected may not wash their hands thoroughly after visiting the toilet or handling tainted foods.  This means that other foods can become contaminated as well – the foods you are served may cause you to become ill.

Cryptosporidium usually produces gastrointestinal Cryptosporidium symptoms including nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal cramps and watery diarrhea.  However, some individuals who become infected may experience no symptoms whatsoever.  The infection is usually mild, but can be dangerous in certain individuals.  Individuals at high risk of complications may develop hepatitis, pancreatitis, cholangitis, cholecystitis or malnutrition and severe dehydration.  Those most at risk of danger from the infection are people who have had a transplant or otherwise weakened immune system.

If you develop symptoms of Cryptosporidium, contact your doctor at once to determine whether you need treatment.  If you have become ill after eating at restaurants or other public places and believe that improper food handling took place, contact a New York food poisoning attorney.  You may be eligible for compensation for any expenses associated with your illness.

Four children have recently been made ill by the Cryptosporidium and E. Coli food poisoning bacteria’s, but the origin of the illness has yet to be determined.  The children, who all live within a one block area of each other in Belgium, Wisconsin, have very little if any interaction with each other, and officials are trying to figure out how this happened.

Ozaukee County public health director Glenda Madlom stated that two cases of E. Coli food poisoning have been confirmed, and that another child’s illness is probably the same.  However another child, Chris Golden, is suffering from the bacterial infection Cryptosporidium and clostridium difficile and is recovering at home.  He is said to be taking antibiotics, but had lost about 10 percent of his body weight.

So far, the water supply has been tested by a company for these bacteria’s and those results returned as negative.  The wells at the homes of the children were tested, and there is no indication that the water is contaminated.  The village president, Kevin Kowalkowski, stated that they have done everything they could to determine how these children became ill, and can find nothing that the village might be at fault for.

Of course the parents of the children are very concerned.  These types of infections can lead to serious risks and complications, especially in young children.  The parents can find nothing the children have in common except for the fact that they meet outside to wait for the school bus. The lack of any source for the children’s infection is very disconcerting for the parents.

Kathleen Bleau, the county’s communicable disease program manager, states that a look at the possibility that the infections were spread person-to-person has to be considered.  The village president doubts that they will find the answer, but says they continue to try to narrow down the possible source by examining commonalities among the families involved.

Cryptosporidium infection can be spread by those who are ill and do not take the proper measures to make sure they do not infect others.  Eating foods contaminated with the bacteria or not taking precautionary measures may spread the infection.  Those who prepare or manufacture foods should make certain they wash their hands thoroughly each time they visit the toilet, and when handling raw or tainted foods to prevent spreading the infection to others.

Cryptosporidium infection usually only produces stomach flu symptoms that are short-lived, but can lead to serious complications in those most at risk, such as the young children mentioned above.