Cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidiosis (crypto) is an infection by a parasite, Cryptosporidium parvum. Crypto can be found in animals, humans, soil and water. It grows in the gut and bile ducts.

About 15% to 20% of people with AIDS have this parasite. Only some of these infections are serious. A healthy person can recover from crypto in about a week. A person with a damaged immune system may not get rid of it for a long time. This usually happens when CD4 cell counts fall below 300. People who have HIV and crypto that lasts four or more weeks, have AIDS.

Symptoms

Crypto causes diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. Diarrhea can make it difficult for the body to take in nutrients. If the diarrhea goes on for a long time, it can cause weight loss and wasting.

Causes

Crypto is spread by contaminated food or water, or direct contact with an infected person or animal.

Prevention

Washing the hands often is the best way to prevent infection by crypto. This means washing hands after using the bathroom, gardening, handling dirty laundry or animals or changing diapers. Crypto can be spread by contact between the mouth and the anus during sex through sexual practices such as “rimming.”  Avoid swallowing water when swimming, since the water may be contaminated. Avoid eating raw oysters.

Some cities have water that has crypto.  Check with the local water department.  A person with low a CD4 count living in a city with crypto contamination should take precautions.  These include boiling cooking or drinking water for one minute or drinking filtered water. Filtered water should be filtered through a 1-micron filter or be labeled “Meets National Science Foundation (NSF) standard number 53 for cyst removal.” Otherwise, distilled water is the best choice.

Diagnosis

Several diseases have signs like those of cryptosporidiosis. A doctor needs to rule those out before making a diagnosis. A doctor will usually check the stool (bowel movement) for parasites and their eggs. This is called an O and P (ova and parasites) test. 

Treatment

There is no cure for crypto infection. Anti-HIV drugs will get rid of or lessen the symptoms of crypto. Diarrhea can be treated with Imodium, Kaopectate or other preparations. Serious, ongoing diarrhea is sometimes treated with Sandostatin. When diarrhea is present, it is important to drink a lot of fluid to keep from being dehydrated.