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(NEXSTAR) – Hundreds of people, and likely more, have fallen ill thanks to a parasite in recent weeks. While authorities continue to search for the source, you may be left fearing any fruit or vegetable you were considering eating.
Since May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say there have been at least 145 cases of cyclosporiasis reported in the U.S. However, cases are much, much higher, with Michigan alone reporting more than 1,00 cases as of July 9.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by Cyclospora cayatenensis, a parasite that is rare in the U.S. It can be spread through food and water that have been contaminated with feces. Those who become ill may have picked up the parasite while traveling to a country where it is commonly found, according to Wisconsin health officials. At least 45 people have, so far, reported becoming ill after eating or drinking water outside of the U.S., CDC data show.
Cases in the U.S. are, instead, more often connected to contaminated fresh produce, like romaine lettuce, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and raspberries. While it’s not clear what has caused the recent cases, the CDC said “there is currently no evidence of a single, multistate … outbreak.”
Nonetheless, you may find yourself apprehensive about being exposed, especially based on the possible symptoms you could experience.
Not everyone who becomes ill has symptoms. Among those who do, as the CDC and Cleveland Clinic explain, the main symptom is frequent, watery diarrhea that can be loud and “sometimes explosive.”
Other symptoms can include a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, “bloating, including burping and farting,” low-grade fever, and extreme tiredness. These symptoms can set in between two days and two weeks after infection.
If you are experiencing symptoms, healthcare experts encourage you to seek medical care. A stool test is necessary to determine whether you have cyclosporiasis.
For some people, illness will “self-resolve after a few days,” Dr. Katie Theoktisto of Baylor Scott & White told Nexstar’s KXAN.
“If you’re having a diarrheal illness that’s lasting over a week or two, it’s probably something unusual,” she warned, saying that “those with prolonged symptoms should seek care from their health care providers.”
Young children, pregnant women, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems may be more severely impacted by the parasite, Theoktisto said. They may also experience a recurrence of symptoms.
Theoktisto said there are treatment options available. That can include antibiotics, according to the Cleveland Clinic, antidiarrheal medications, and hydration. If you are allergic to sulfa drugs, your doctor can use other options.
While those with healthy immune systems may be able to recover on their own, others could be “sick for anywhere from a few days to a month or longer,” the CDC says. Symptoms can come and go, and you may be at risk for “severe or long illness.” Left untreated, cyclosporiasis can stick around for a month or longer.
Thankfully, cyclospora is not believed to be transmitted from person to person.
To protect yourself, health experts recommend washing produce thoroughly before eating, cutting, or cooking.
If you’re going to refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked produce, do so as soon as possible. Experts also recommend cutting away any damaged or bruised areas of fruits and vegetables before using them.
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