Cryptosporidium infection is an illness that affects the intestines. It's caused by a parasite called Cryptosporidium. This parasite is found in food or water that contains stool (feces) from infected people or animals. Children most often get infected when they swallow water that contains the parasite. This water can be from a pool, lake, water playground, hot tub, spring, pond, or stream. Your child can also get infected if they eat foods washed with water that contains the parasite. And your child can get infected if the parasite is on uncooked foods. Not washing your hands properly can also spread the parasite.

Symptoms may appear 2 to 10 days after infection. They are often cyclical. This means your child can start feeling better and then feel worse again. Symptoms can come and go for up to 30 days. They include:

• Watery diarrhea (most common symptom).
• Stomach cramps.
• Fever.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Weight loss.

Your child can also be infected and have no symptoms at all.

The doctor will examine your child. A stool sample is collected to check for the parasite. More than one stool sample may be needed.

• The illness can last 1 to 2 weeks.
• Medicine may be prescribed by your child's doctor. This clears the infection in most cases. Your child should finish all of the medicine. This is true even if they start feeling better. It's normal for your child to start feeling better but feel worse again before the illness ends.
• Don't give your child medicine for diarrhea unless their doctor tells you to. It can make the illness last longer. It can also decrease the body's ability to get rid of the parasite.
• Don't give your child homemade electrolyte drinks. They may make your child's condition worse.
• Give your child plenty of water or a children's electrolyte solution to drink. This helps prevent dehydration. Don't give your child sports drinks, soft drinks, soups, or juices. They are full of sugar, which is not good for replacing lost fluids. It may make your child sicker.
• Most children who are not dehydrated should eat normally. Infants can breastfeed.
• Most children can handle milk products even though they have diarrhea.
• Complex carbohydrates, vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and yogurt are good food choices.

Contact your child's doctor right away if your child:

• Has severe diarrhea that lasts longer than 2 days.
• Shows signs of dehydration (very dark or little urine, excessive thirst, dry mouth, no tears when crying, or dizziness).
• Has rapid and excessive weight loss.
• Has blood in the stool.
• Cries and can't be comforted.
• Seems very tired, slow-moving, or doesn't respond.
• Has belly pain or vomiting that gets worse and lasts more than 12 to 24 hours.
• Has a fever that lasts more than 24 to 48 hours.

To prevent your child from passing on a Cryptosporidium infection:

• Clean your child's bottom well when changing diapers. Afterward, wash your hands with soap and water. Do the same for your child.
• Change diapers in a bathroom or diaper-changing area. Don't change diapers next to a pool or other water. This will keep germs and poop out of the water.
• Keep your child home from daycare or school until cleared by their doctor.
• Clean, sanitize, or disinfect toys and surfaces to prevent germs from spreading.
• Wait for 2 weeks after your child's diarrhea has stopped before going swimming.

To reduce the chances of infection in the future:

• Don't swallow or drink water from pools, lakes, streams, or rivers.
• When camping or traveling outside the country, don't drink or cook with water unless you know it's safe. If needed, boil water for at least 1 minute before using it. Or use bottled water.
• Don't eat uncooked foods, fruits, and raw vegetables washed in water that might contain the parasite.
• If you drink milk or apple cider, make sure it is pasteurized.
• If you drink well water, have it tested once a year for germs, including Cryptosporidium.
• Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water. Do this before preparing meals or eating food. Also do it after going to the bathroom or handling pets. Teach your child to do the same.
• Use a food thermometer when cooking. Cook poultry to at least 165°F. Cook pork, beef, and lamb cuts to at least 145°F. Cook ground meats to at least 160°F.
• Wash or peel produce before eating.