General Information | Cryptosporidium | Parasites | CDC

General Information | Cryptosporidium | Parasites | CDC

General Information

Cryptosporidiosis (or “Crypto” for short) is a disease that causes watery diarrhea. It is caused by microscopic germs—parasites called Cryptosporidium. Although Crypto can affect all people, some groups are likely to develop more serious illness. For people with weakened immune systems, symptoms can be severe and could lead to severe or life-threatening illness. Examples of people with weakened immune systems include those with HIV/AIDS; those with inherited diseases that affect the immune system; and cancer and transplant patients who are taking certain immunosuppressive drugs.

• Cryptosporidiosis, or “Crypto,” is a diarrheal disease most frequently caused by contaminated water in pools or water playgrounds, contact with infected cattle, and contact with sick people in childcare settings.
• The annual number of reported Crypto outbreaks in the United States increased an average of 13% each year during 2009–2017.
• Health departments can use CDC’s CryptoNet—the first molecular tracking system for parasitic infections—to better detect Crypto outbreaks and identify what caused them.