Parasites
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium spp. are protozoan parasites that cause the gastrointestinal disease called cryptosporidiosis, commonly called “Crypto”. The parasite has an outer shell that protects it, and allows it to survive outside of the body for long periods of time and protects it from chemicals like chlorine. It is transmitted through contaminated drinking and recreational water that when swallowed cause watery diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Cryptosporidium parasites are found everywhere in the United States, and anyone can become infected with an estimated 748,000 cases each year.
Entamoeba histolytica
Entamoeba histolytica is a parasitic amoeba that is commonly found in tropical regions with poor sanitation. These parasites form cysts that can survive outside of the body in food, water, and soil but can be killed by the heat or cold. Infection occurs after consuming contaminated water, or touching contaminated surfaces then placing your hands into your mouth. Once cysts are ingested the parasite exits the cyst and bores into the intestinal wall can reach the bloodstream, this causes bloody diarrhea, colitis, and in a few cases amoebic liver abscess, in about 10% of infected individuals. Anyone is at risk of infection but those who have traveled to tropical regions are at higher risk.
Giardia lamblia
Giardia lamblia is a flagellated protozoan parasite that causes giardiasis. Giardia is found in soil, food, water, and contaminated surfaces that have become contaminated from feces from infected individuals. You can become ill if you consume the parasite by swallowing contaminated water or food, being in close contact with someone who is infected, and touching contaminated surfaces and putting your hands into your mouth. After consumption of even the smallest amount of contaminated feces the parasite infects and reproduces inside the intestines causing diarrhea, gas, bad-smelling greasy poop that can float, abdominal cramps, nausea, and dehydration. Those at greatest risk of giardiasis include people in childcare settings, people who swim in untreated waters, campers who drink untreated waters. The parasite also infects cats, dogs, and livestock, and individuals who are in close contact with infected animals can also become infected. Giardia is the most common enteric parasitic pathogen in the US, causing an estimated 1.2 million giardiasis cases each year.