Cryptosporidium (pronounced as crypt-o-spore-e-dium) is a germ that mainly affects children and malnourished people and leads to diarrhea. Disease caused by cryptosporidium is called as cryptosporidiosis (pronounced as crypt-o-spore-e-d-o-sis).

Cryptosporidium is excreted in stools of infected humans and animals and the cryptosporidium parasite is found in contaminated drinking water, recreational water, soil and food. It spreads by consumption of contaminated food and water.

The most common symptom is watery diarrhea. Diarrhea may be severe enough to cause dehydration and weight loss. Sometimes patients may have stomach pain, fever, vomiting and nausea. The diarrhea may last for 2-10 days. In patients with poor immunity, diarrhea may be persistent.

Testing for cryptosporidia can be difficult and several stool samples may be required to find the parasite.

Most of the people who have a healthy immune system can recover without treatment. Avoid dehydration, drink lots of water. A new drug called nitazoxanide is used in the treatment of intractable cryptosporidia.

It is a very contagious disease. Wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet. Drink boiled and filtered water and eat cooked food. Maintain good personal hygiene.

There is no vaccine to prevent cryptosporidiosis.