Report within 24 hours of Diagnosis to the Local Health Department.
Cryptosporidiosis is an intestinal illness caused by a parasite. This parasite lives in the intestines and produces eggs (cysts) which are passed from the body in the stool. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very tolerant to chlorine disinfection. A person becomes infected by swallowing cysts of the parasite. This parasite can be spread in several different ways, but water (drinking water and recreational water such as pools and waterparks) is the most common way to spread the parasite. Symptoms may include diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and fever.