Nearly 7,000 cases of the food-borne illness cyclosporiasis have been reported across the United States, according to reports from NBC news. The parasitic infection, which is caused when people drink contaminated water or eat contaminated food, has been identified in at least 34 states, according to the CDC.
Although cases continue to increase, the good news is there are practical steps you can take to significantly reduce your risk and those of your loved ones. Here’s how you can stay healthy.
Recognize Symptoms Early
Symptoms typically begin about one week after consuming contaminated food, although they could develop anywhere from two days to two weeks later. The most common symptoms patients who get cyclosporiasis experience are fatigue, nausea, cramping and profuse watery diarrhea. Most gastrointestinal infections that cause symptoms result in diarrhea that lasts 2-3 days, but in the case of cyclosporiasis, the diarrhea can last weeks to months. The diarrhea can also wax and wane, with improvements followed by exacerbations. If this is the type of diarrhea you are experiencing, you should see a doctor and get tested for cyclosporiasis.
How To Reduce Your Risk Of Infection?
The vast majority of cases in the United States of cyclosporiasis have been linked to contaminated produce, such as lettuce, cilantro, basil and raspberries. The current outbreak across the U.S. may be related to lettuce and salad greens, however other food sources are not ruled out.
The only way to eliminate the parasite from produce is by cooking it at a temperature of 158 degrees Fahrenheit. This effectively kills the parasite. You can also significantly reduce your risk of infection by running water and cleaning produce thoroughly and scrubbing with a sterile scrub brush. This does not kill the parasite but can displace it and remove up to 90% of the parasite particles, significantly reducing the burden of parasite that could enter your body to cause infection.
Washing your hands for twenty seconds before cooking, before eating and after leaving the bathroom with soap can also significantly reduce the risk of infection. This can remove the parasite from your skin, preventing it from being transferred to your mouth or food.
In addition, refrigerating produce when coming back from the grocery store can be helfpul. Cooling can prevent maturation of the parasite and can prevent the organism from developing into an infectious state.
Should You Avoid Produce?
Currently, the exact supplier of produce has not been identified in the cylcosporiasis outbreak. However, fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet and are a rich source of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants for the body. The vast majority of Americans will not get infected when purchasing produce at a grocery store, and the outbreak is not a reason to avoid produce. Instead, taking the appropriate precautions of cooking produce, washing hands, and scrubbing produce will significantly reduce your risk of being infected.
When Should You See A Doctor?
The vast majority of cyclosporiasis cases resolve on their own. Most patients can also take a 7-10 day course of the antibiotic Bactrim to shorten and possibly resolve symptoms. If diarrhea lasts more than 3 days, you should go see your doctor and get tested specifically for cyclosporiasis.
In addition, severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration, or depletion of one’s volume status. If this occurs, go to the emergency room immediately for treatment with IV fluids. Those who are elderly, children, pregnant females and those with weakened immune systems should also consider visiting a doctor if symptoms occur because the infection can be much more severe.
Staying informed about symptoms, knowing how to handle produce and understanding when to visit a doctor can make all the difference in protecting yourself and your loved ones.