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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
When you think of swimming pool safety, drowning prevention may be the first thing that comes to mind. But recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is shining a light on another recreational water risk: Cryptosporidium (Crypto), a microscopic parasite that can linger in pool water for days and cause severe gastrointestinal (GI) issues.Bhaskar Gurram, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist at Children's Health℠ and Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern, shares five facts water-loving families should know about Crypto and swimming pools.1. Cryptosporidium isn't the only swimming pool germ, but it's a serious one.Cryptosporidium is a parasite that causes the diarrheal illness cryptosporidiosis. Both the germ and the disease are commonly referred to as "Crypto."Cryptosporidium is just one of the many germs that can live and spread in swimming pool water. Other common water-related causes of diarrhea include Giardia, Shigella, norovirus and E. coli. According to the CDC, there were 444 reported cryptosporidiosis outbreaks from 2009-2017, and the number of outbreaks has increased by approximately 13% each year."Cryptosporidium is more resistant to the typical chlorine water treatments that are done to swimming pools to prevent illnesses," explains Dr. Gurram. "Once the water has been contaminated with Cryptosporidium, it can survive for days despite the water being properly treated. That's why there has been such a surge of these infections."2. Cryptosporidiosis is commonly spread through water – but it can spread in other ways, too.Cryptosporidium is spread through the feces of infected humans or animals. The main ways that people become infected with cryptosporidiosis include:Ingesting contaminated recreational water (swimming pools or water parks)Ingesting the parasite from untreated water such as a river or lakeIngesting contaminated drinking water or iceEating contaminated foodIt is also possible to contract cryptosporidiosis by touching your mouth after touching surfaces or objects contaminated by the poop of an infected person or animal. This is another reason why we should clean our hands with soap and water or antibacterial soap regularly when in public spaces.3. Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis appear 2-10 days after infection.It takes about 2-10 days after becoming infected with the Cryptosporidium parasite for signs
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