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General Information for the Public

General Questions

What is cryptosporidiosis?

Cryptosporidiosis is a disease that causes watery diarrhea. It is caused by microscopic germs—parasites called Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium, or "Crypto" for short, can be found in water, food, soil or on surfaces or dirty hands that have been contaminated with the feces of humans or animals infected with the parasite. During 2001–2010, Crypto was the leading cause of waterborne disease outbreaks, linked to recreational water in the United States. The parasite is found in every region of the United States and throughout the world.

How is cryptosporidiosis spread?

Crypto lives in the gut of infected humans or animals. An infected person or animal sheds Crypto parasites in their poop. An infected person can shed 10,000,000 to 100,000,000 Crypto germs in a single bowel movement. Shedding of Crypto in poop begins when symptoms like diarrhea begin and can last for weeks after symptoms stop. Swallowing as few as 10 Crypto germs can cause infection.

Crypto can be spread by:

Swallowing recreational water (for example, the water in swimming pools, fountains, lakes, rivers) contaminated with Crypto

Crypto’s high tolerance to chlorine enables the parasite to survive for long periods of time in chlorinated drinking and swimming pool water

Drinking untreated water from a lake or river that is contaminated with Crypto

Swallowing water, ice, or beverages contaminated with poop from infected humans or animals

Hands can become contaminated through a variety of activities, such as touching surfaces or objects (e.g., toys, bathroom fixtures, changing tables, diaper pails) that have been contaminated by poop from an infected person, changing diapers, caring for an infected person, and touching an infected animal

Exposure to poop from an infected person through oral-anal sexual contact

Crypto is not spread through contact with blood.

What are the symptoms of cryptosporidiosis, when do they begin, and how long do they last?

Symptoms of Crypto generally begin 2 to 10 days (average 7 days) after becoming infected with the parasite. Symptoms include:

Watery diarrhea

Stomach cramps or pain

Dehydration

Nausea

Vomiting

Fever

Weight loss

Symptoms usually last about 1 to 2 weeks (with a range of a few days to 4 or more weeks) in people with healthy immune systems.

The most common symptom of cryptosporidiosis is watery diarrhea. Some people with Crypto will have no symptoms at all.

Who is most at risk for cryptosporidiosis?

People who are most likely to become infected with Cryptosporidium include:

Children who attend childcare centers, including diaper-aged children

Childcare workers

Parents of infected children

People who take care of other people with Crypto

International travelers

Backpackers, hikers, and campers who drink unfiltered, untreated water

People who drink from untreated shallow, unprotected wells

People, including swimmers, who swallow water from contaminated sources

People who handle infected calves or other ruminants like sheep

People exposed to human poop through sexual contact

Contaminated water might include water that has not been boiled or filtered, as well as contaminated recreational water sources (e.g., swimming pools, lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams). Several community-wide outbreaks have been linked to drinking tap water or recreational water contaminated with Cryptosporidium. Crypto’s high tolerance to chlorine enables the parasite to survive for long periods of time in chlorinated drinking and swimming pool water. This means anyone swallowing contaminated water could get ill.

Note: Although Crypto can infect all people, some groups are likely to develop more serious illness.

Young children and pregnant women may be more likely to get dehydrated because of their diarrhea so they should drink plenty of fluids while ill.

People with severely weakened immune systems are at risk for more serious disease. Symptoms may be more severe and could lead to serious or life-threatening illness. Examples of people with weakened immune systems include those with AIDS; those with inherited diseases that affect the immune system; and cancer and transplant patients who are taking certain immunosuppressive drugs.

What should I do if I think I might have cryptosporidiosis?

For diarrhea whose cause has not been determined, the following actions may help relieve symptoms: Individuals who have health concerns should talk to their healthcare provider.

Drink plenty of fluids to remain well hydrated and avoid dehydration. Serious health problems can occur if the body does not maintain proper fluid levels. For some people, diarrhea can be severe resulting in hospitalization due to dehydration.

Maintain a well-balanced diet. Doing so may help speed recovery.

Avoid beverages that contain caffeine, such as tea, coffee, and many soft drinks.

Avoid alcohol, as it can lead to dehydration.

Contact your healthcare provider if you suspect that you have cryptosporidiosis.

How is cryptosporidiosis diagnosed?

Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease that is spread through contact with the stool of an infected person or animal. The disease is diagnosed by examining stool samples. People infected with Crypto can shed the parasite irregularly in their poop (for example, one day they shed parasite, the next day they don’t, the third day they do) so patients may need to give three samples collected on three different days to help make sure that a negative test result is accurate and really means they do not have Crypto. Healthcare providers should specifically request testing for Crypto. Routine ova and parasite testing does not normally include Crypto testing.

What is the treatment for cryptosporidiosis?

Most people with healthy immune systems will recover from cryptosporidiosis without treatment. The following actions may help relieve symptoms. Individuals who have health concerns should talk to their healthcare provider.

Drink plenty of fluids to remain well hydrated and avoid dehydration. Serious health problems can occur if the body does not maintain proper fluid levels. For some people, diarrhea can be severe resulting in hospitalization due to dehydration.

Maintain a well-balanced diet. Doing so may help speed recovery.

Avoid beverages that contain caffeine, such as tea, coffee, and many soft drinks.

Avoid alcohol, as it can lead to dehydration.

Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicine might help slow down diarrhea, but a healthcare provider should be consulted before such medicine is taken.

A drug called nitazoxanide has been FDA-approved for treatment of diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium in people with healthy immune systems and is available by prescription. Consult with your healthcare provider for more information about potential advantages and disadvantages of taking nitazoxanide.

Note: Infants, young children, and pregnant women may be more likely than others to suffer from dehydration. Losing a lot of fluids from diarrhea can be dangerous—and especially life-threatening in infants. These people should drink extra fluids when they are sick. Severe dehydration may require hospitalization for treatment with fluids given through your vein (intravenous or IV fluids). If you are pregnant or a parent and you suspect you or your child are severely dehydrated, contact a healthcare provider about fluid replacement options.

How should I clean my house to help prevent the spread of cryptosporidiosis?

No cleaning method is guaranteed to be completely effective against Crypto. However, you can lower the chance of spreading Crypto by taking the following precautions:

Use laundry detergent, and wash in hot water: 113°F or hotter for at least 20 minutes or at 122°F or hotter for at least 5 minutes.

Machine dry on the highest heat setting.

For other household object and surfaces (for example, diaper-change areas):

Remove all visible poop.

Clean with soap and water.

Let dry completely for at least 4 hours.

If possible, expose to direct sunlight during the 4 hours.

Wash your hands with soap and water after cleaning objects or surfaces that could be contaminated with Crypto.

Note: The best way to prevent the spread of Cryptosporidium in the home is by practicing good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using the toilet, after changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against Crypto.