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. �� How long after infection do symptoms appear? Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis generally begin 2 to 10 days (average 7 days) after becoming infected with the parasite. How long will symptoms last? In persons with healthy immune systems, symptoms usually last about 1 to 2 weeks. The symptoms may go in cycles in which you may seem to get better for a few days, then feel worse again before the iilness ends. If I have been diagnosed with Cryptosporidium, should I worry about spreading the infection to others? Yes, Cryptosporidium can be very contagious. Follow these guidelines to avoid spreading the disease to others: 1. Wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food. 2. Do not swim in recreational water (pools, hot tubs, lakes or rivers, the ocean, etc.) if you have cryptosporidiosis and for at least 2 weeks after diarrhea stops. You can pass Cryptosporidium in your stool and contaminate water for several weeks after your symptoms have ended. This has resulted in outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis among recreational water users. Note: Cryptosporidium can be spread in a chlorinated pool because it is resistant to chlorine and, therefore, can live for days in chlorine-treated swimming pools. 3. Avoid fecal exposure during sexual activity. Who is most at risk for cryptosporidiosis? People who are most likely to become infected with Cryptosporidium include: • Children who attend day care centers, including diaper-aged children • Child care workers • Parents of infected children • International travelers • Backpackers, hikers, and campers who drink unfiltered, untreated water • Swimmers who swallow water while swimming in swimming pools, lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams • People who drink from shallow, unprotected wells • People who swallow water from contaminated sources. Contaminated water includes water that has not been boiled or filtered. Several community-wide outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have been linked to drinking municipal water or recreational water contaminated with Cryptosporidium. If you have a severely weakened Who is most at risk for getting seriously ill with immune system, ta�k to your health cryptosporidiosis? care provider for additional guid- ance. You can also call the CDC Although Crypto can infect all people, some groups are more AIDS HOTLINE toll-free at i-800- likely to develop more serious illness 342-2437. Ask for more information on cryptosporidiosis, or go to the • Young children and pregnant women may be more CDC fact sheet Preventing Crypto- susceptible to the dehydration resulting from diarrhea sporidiosis: A Guide for Peop/e with and should drink len of fluids while ill Compromised Immune Systems P tY available by visiting 1_rtt�:l/www.cU�.�1cv[ r�ci;ii,GlclpSJ/ uarasi[e 5lcrvotosoorldlos�t?cr.�n: crvota �reve . n.;._..�i,hti� . r _ ... . ,.