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Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium (crip-toe-spor-ID-ee-um) is a protozoan, a single-celled parasite, that lives in the intestines of animals and people. This microscopic pathogen causes a disease called cryptosporidiosis (crip-toe-spor-id-ee-O-sis). The dormant (inactive) form of Cryptosporidium, called an oocyst (O-o-sist), is excreted in the feces (stool) of infected humans and animals. The tough-walled oocysts survive under a wide range of environmental conditions.
The most common symptom of cryptosporidiosis is watery diarrhea. There may also be abdominal cramps, nausea, low-grade fever, dehydration, and weight loss. Symptoms usually develop 4 to 6 days after infection but may appear anytime from 2 to 10 days after infection.
People with healthy immune systems are usually ill with cryptosporidiosis for several days but rarely more than two weeks. Some infected individuals may not even get sick. Some people with cryptosporidiosis seem to recover, then get worse again. Those who are infected may shed oocysts in their stool for months, even after they no longer appear to be ill.
Cryptosporidiosis may cause complications for those with illnesses or conditions such as diabetes, alcoholism, or pregnancy. The effects of prolonged diarrhea and dehydration can be dangerous, especially for the very young, the elderly, and the frail.
Cryptosporidiosis is most severe and long-lasting in immunocompromised individuals (whose immune systems are weak), such as people infected with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), cancer patients on chemotherapy, transplant patients, or others taking medications that suppress the immune system. This disease can be life-threatening for the immunocompromised.
to learn more about treating drinking water against cryptosporidium using UV Oxidation and Disinfection technology.
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