{"id":166,"date":"2024-05-16T12:02:30","date_gmt":"2024-05-16T12:02:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tradetrovex.com\/index.php\/2024\/05\/16\/what-is-cryptosporidium-the-diarrhoea-causing-parasite-found-in-devon-drinking-water\/"},"modified":"2024-05-16T12:02:30","modified_gmt":"2024-05-16T12:02:30","slug":"what-is-cryptosporidium-the-diarrhoea-causing-parasite-found-in-devon-drinking-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tradetrovex.com\/index.php\/2024\/05\/16\/what-is-cryptosporidium-the-diarrhoea-causing-parasite-found-in-devon-drinking-water\/","title":{"rendered":"What is cryptosporidium? The diarrhoea-causing parasite found in Devon drinking water"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

An outbreak of\u00a0a waterborne disease in Devon has prompted urgent warnings for residents to boil their tap water.\u00a0<\/p>\n

At least 22 cases of cryptosporidiosis disease have been confirmed<\/strong> in and around the town of Brixham in South West England.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

But what is the parasite that is making people sick, what are the symptoms of being infected with it and how serious can it be?<\/p>\n

What is cryptosporidiosis disease?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cryptosporidiosis is the disease caused by the parasite cryptosporidium.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Often shortened to crypto, infections can be caused by drinking contaminated water or swallowing contaminated water in swimming pools or streams.<\/p>\n

It can also be acquired through contact with the faeces of infected animals or humans.<\/p>\n

What are the symptoms?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The symptoms of cryptosporidiosis include:<\/p>\n

\u2022 profuse watery diarrhoea
\u2022 stomach pains
\u2022 nausea or vomiting
\u2022 low-grade fever
\u2022 loss of appetite<\/p>\n

How long does it last?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most people develop symptoms within one to 12 days of picking up the parasite.<\/p>\n

Symptoms usually last for about two weeks, but can last up to six weeks or longer when the immune system is not working properly.<\/p>\n

During the illness, you might think you are getting better but the illness returns a couple of days later before you fully recover.<\/p>\n

How serious is it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most people recover, but in people with severely weakened immune systems it can cause severe disease and can be fatal.<\/p>\n

Serious cases and death used to be more common, according to Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia (UEA).<\/p>\n

This is because before effective antiretroviral treatments were introduced for HIV\/AIDS, people living with these illnesses would not recover if they picked up cryptosporidiosis.<\/p>\n

Who is most at risk of serious illness?<\/strong><\/p>\n

People with weak immune systems are at greater risk of serious illness. This includes:<\/p>\n

\u2022 people on some immunosuppressive drugs, for example cancer or transplant patients
\u2022 people with untreated HIV\/AIDS
\u2022 malnourished children<\/p>\n

Does it need treatment?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is no specific treatment for cryptosporidiosis.<\/p>\n

It important to drink plenty of fluids as diarrhoea or vomiting can lead to dehydration, according to advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).<\/p>\n

You might also want to talk to a pharmacist about oral rehydration sachets to help replace the sugar, salts and minerals the body has lost.<\/p>\n

Dr Lincoln Sargeant, Torbay\u2019s Director of Public Health, said anyone with \u201csevere symptoms like bloody diarrhoea\u201d should contact NHS 111 or their GP.<\/p>\n

Severe cases may require hospital treatment.<\/p>\n

How do you know if you have crypto?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The symptoms of crypto are similar to other stomach bugs, so the only way to know for sure if you have it is for your doctor to send a sample of your faeces to be tested in a laboratory.<\/p>\n

How can you stop the illness spreading?<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you are ill, stay away from nursery, school or work while you have symptoms, and for at least 48 hours after they stop.<\/p>\n

You should also avoid swimming for two weeks after being unwell.<\/p>\n

You should not prepare food for anyone else until 48 hours after diarrhoea has stopped.<\/p>\n

Make sure you\u2019re using good handwashing practices too, washing your hands thoroughly when handling food and after using the toilet.<\/p>\n

The UKHSA also advises washing bedding and towels on the hottest possible cycle.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

This post appeared first on sky.com<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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