Cryptosporidiosis (patient information): Difference between revisions

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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Empty sella syndrome|here]]'''
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Cryptosporidiosis|here]]'''


{{Empty sella syndrome (patient information)}}
{{Cryptosporidiosis (patient information)}}


{{CMG}}  
{{CMG}}  
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Cryptosporidium enteritis is an infection of the small intestine with the parasite Cryptosporidium that causes diarrhea.
Cryptosporidium enteritis is an infection of the small intestine with the parasite Cryptosporidium that causes diarrhea.


==What causes Empty sella syndrome?==
==What causes Cryptosporidiosis?==
Cryptosporidium has recently been recognized as a worldwide cause of diarrhea in all age groups. Its major impact has been among those with weakened immune systems, including:
Cryptosporidium has recently been recognized as a worldwide cause of diarrhea in all age groups. Its major impact has been among those with weakened immune systems, including:
* People who take medications to suppress their immune system
* People who take medications to suppress their immune system
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* Swimming in contaminated pools and lakes
* Swimming in contaminated pools and lakes


==What are the symptoms of Empty sella syndrome?==
==What are the symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis?==
* Abdominal cramping
* Abdominal cramping
* Diarrhea, which is usually watery, large-volume, and many times a day
* Diarrhea, which is usually watery, large-volume, and many times a day
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Certain water filters can also reduce risk by filtering out the Cryptosporidium eggs. However, the pores of the filter must be smaller than 1 micron to be effective. If you are immunosuppressed, ask your doctor if you need to boil your water.
Certain water filters can also reduce risk by filtering out the Cryptosporidium eggs. However, the pores of the filter must be smaller than 1 micron to be effective. If you are immunosuppressed, ask your doctor if you need to boil your water.


==Where to find medical care for Empty sella syndrome?==
==Where to find medical care for Cryptosporidiosis?==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Empty sella syndrome}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Empty sella syndrome]
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Cryptosporidiosis}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Cryptosporidiosis]


==Who is at highest risk?==
==Who is at highest risk?==

Revision as of 20:26, 4 August 2011

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Cryptosporidiosis

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Cryptosporidiosis?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Cryptosporidiosis On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Cryptosporidiosis

Videos on Cryptosporidiosis

FDA on Cryptosporidiosis

CDC on Cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidiosis in the news

Blogs on Cryptosporidiosis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Cryptosporidiosis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Cryptosporidiosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Cryptosporidium enteritis is an infection of the small intestine with the parasite Cryptosporidium that causes diarrhea.

What causes Cryptosporidiosis?

Cryptosporidium has recently been recognized as a worldwide cause of diarrhea in all age groups. Its major impact has been among those with weakened immune systems, including:

  • People who take medications to suppress their immune system
  • People with HIV or AIDS
  • Transplant recipients

In these groups, this diarrheal infection is not just bothersome, but it also also can lead to severe and life-threatening loss of muscle and body mass (wasting) and malnutrition. The major risk factor is swallowing water contaminated with fecal matter. Those at higher risk include:

  • Animal handlers
  • Men who have sex with men
  • People in close contact with infected individuals
  • Young children

Outbreaks have been linked to:

  • Drinking from contaminated public water supplies
  • Drinking unpasteurized cider
  • Swimming in contaminated pools and lakes

What are the symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis?

  • Abdominal cramping
  • Diarrhea, which is usually watery, large-volume, and many times a day
  • Malaise
  • Malnutrition and weight loss (in severe cases)
  • Nausea

Diagnosis

  • Antibody test to see if Cryptosporidium are in the stool
  • Intestinal biopsy (rare)
  • Stool examination with special techniques (called AFB staining)
  • Stool ova and parasites exam using a microscope

Treatment options

There are several treatments for cryptosporidium enteritis. Drugs such as nitazoxanide have been used in children and adults. Other drugs that are sometimes used include:

  • Atovaquone
  • Azithromycin
  • Metronidazole
  • Paromomycin
  • Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

However, these drugs often only help for a little while. It is common for the infection to return.The best approach is to improve the immune status in people who have a weakened immune system. This can be done by using highly active antiviral therapy in people with AIDS. It can lead to a complete remission of cryptosporidium enteritis.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

In healthy people, the infection will clear up, but it can last up to a month. In people who are immunosuppressed, long-term diarrhea may cause weight loss and malnutrition.

Possible complications

  • Cholangitis (inflammation of a bile duct)
  • Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
  • Hepatitis
  • Malabsorption (not enough nutrients being absorbed from the intestinal tract)
  • Pancreatitis
  • Wasting syndrome (loss of body mass where the person becomes very thin and weak)

When to seek urgent medical care?

Notify your health care provider if you develop watery diarrhea that does not go away within a few days, especially if you are immunosuppressed.

Prevention

Proper sanitation and hygiene, including handwashing, are important measures for preventing this illness. Certain water filters can also reduce risk by filtering out the Cryptosporidium eggs. However, the pores of the filter must be smaller than 1 micron to be effective. If you are immunosuppressed, ask your doctor if you need to boil your water.

Where to find medical care for Cryptosporidiosis?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Cryptosporidiosis

Who is at highest risk?

Persons who are immunocompromised are at increased risks of having the diseases

Sources