Cyclospora Infection Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, Complications, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

What Is Cyclospora Infection ?

Cyclospora infection is triggered by a single-cell parasite. The infection is known to source watery diarrhea. At times, the diarrhea caused by it can be explosive.

The parasite manages to get into the body while someone consumes contaminated water or food. Since diarrhea tends to be the symptom of many other bacterial illnesses, therefore, detecting cyclospora infection can be a difficult task. Often, a specialized stool test helps in detecting it accurately. As far as the treatment of cyclospora infection is concerned, it revolves around antibiotics. Though, to prevent its occurrence, food safety measures are important.

What Are The Symptoms Of Cyclospora Infection ?

Few individuals with the responsible-parasite develop no indications at all, whereas others experience the following symptoms:

Repeated watery diarrhea.
Fever.
Muscle aches.
Nausea followed by vomiting.
Episodes of diarrhea alternating by episodes of constipation.
Stomach cramps.
Loss of appetite, this can result in weight loss.
Burping.
Flatulence.
Bloating.
Fatigue.
Feeling of being unwell, medically termed as malaise.

Diarrhea can stop within some days. Though in some cases, it can continue for weeks. Moreover, for patients with the conditions known to weaken the immune system for example HIV, cyclospora infection can continue for months, in case of leaving untreated.

What Causes Cyclospora Infection ?

As mentioned earlier, a single-celled parasite is responsible for triggering cyclospora infection. The parasite is named as Cyclospora cayetanensis. Consumption of contaminated water or food serve as the basis to make an individual infected. An infected individual shed the parasite in his or her feces.

What Are The Risk Factors Of Cyclospora Infection ?

In the previous times, visiting an underdeveloped country tends to increase the chances of contracting cyclospora infection. As of today, the infection is reported all over the world, thus, anyone can experience cyclospora infection in case he or she accidentally consumes contaminated water or food.

What Are The Complications Of Cyclospora Infection ?

Prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration, in case the infection is left untreated. For healthy individuals, this is may not be the concern, as they may restore the lost fluids by the intake of more liquid. Though, few may need medical aid, or can even be hospitalized to restore fluids through intravenously. Following individuals tends to be at a greater risk of intense dehydration:

Older adults.
Young children.
Infants.
Individuals with serious health conditions.

How Is Cyclospora Infection Diagnosis ?

Since, diarrhea is a symptom of many other health problems; therefore, detecting cyclospora infection can be a difficult task. For a precise diagnosis, lab test can be suggested to spot the responsible parasite in the patient’s stool. For the purpose, no blood tests are required.