Cryptosporidiosis

  • Infection is acquired from contact with infected humans or animals or after ingestion of contaminated water.
  • Produces watery diarrhoea which can last for up to 2 to 3 weeks (or longer in immunosuppressed patients).
  • No specific treatment is currently available in the UK.
  • This is a notifiable disease as clusters of cases warrant further investigation to exclude a common source
  • Please discuss with a medical microbiologist or infectious disease physician if the patient is immunosuppressed and has continuing diarrhoea as specific therapy may be warranted.