What is Cryptosporidium?
Cryptosporidium (commonly called Crypto) is a parasite that causes the diarrheal disease known as cryptosporidiosis. While there are many speciesopen_in_new of Cryptosporidium that infect animals, Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis are the most common sources of infection in humans. The parasite has an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very tolerant to chlorine disinfection. Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of waterborne disease among humans in the United States.
Where is it Found?
What Can it Infect?
How Does it Spread?
Preventing the Spread of Cryptosporidium
While this parasite can be spread in several different ways, drinking water and recreational water are the most common sources of infection. Take the following precautions to guard against Cryptosporidium infection:
- Don’t swallow contaminated recreational water (in swimming pools, fountains, lakes, and rivers)
- Don’t drink contaminated water from a lake or river
- Don’t swallow water, ice, or beverages that could be contaminated with poop from infected humans or animals
- Don’t eat undercooked foodopen_in_new or drinking unpasteurized/raw apple cider or milk
- Don’t touch your mouth with hands contaminated through:
- Surfaces or objects (e.g., toys, bathroom fixtures, changing tables, diaper pails) containing poop from an infected person
- Changing diapers
- Caring for an infected person
- Touching an infected animal
- Avoid exposure to poop from an infected person through oral-anal sexual contact
- Get extra protection with ultraviolet disinfection, as described below.
Get More Protection Against Cryptosporidium with UV Disinfection
In addition to the above preventative measures, Germicidal Ultraviolet (UV-C) water disinfection can inactivate Cryptosporidium in well water, swimming pools and hot tubs, drinking water, and food prep water.
Restaurants, retailers, and meat processing facilities will benefit by adding UV-C surface disinfection to their regular sanitizing procedures. Another benefit is the ability to operate as usual during a boil water alert. Shop our products at AtlanticUltraviolet.comopen_in_new.
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Our germicidal lamps produce ultraviolet wavelengths at 254 nanometers, the region of maximum germicidal effectiveness. Read our FAQ blog post to learn more. See dosage data below.
Cryptosporidium: Classification & UV-C Dose for Inactivation
| Organism: | Alternate Name: | Type: | Disease: | UV Dose*: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptosporidium parvum | Crypto | Parasite | Cryptosporidiosis | 3.0 mJ/cm2 |
| Cryptosporidium hominis | Crypto | Parasite | Cryptosporidiosis | 5.80 mJ/cm2 |
* Nominal Ultraviolet dosage necessary to inactivate better than 99% of microorganisms. See sources below.
People at High Risk for Contracting an Infection
While anyone can contract a Cryptosporidium infection, certain people are at high risk:
- Children who attend childcare centers, including diaper-aged children
- Childcare workers
- Parents of infected children
- People 75 years and older
- People who take care of other people infected with Crypto
- International travelers
- Backpackers, hikers, and campers who drink unfiltered, untreated water
- People who drink from untreated, shallow wells
- People, including swimmers, who swallow water from contaminated sources
- People who handle farm animals (especially goat and sheep)
- People exposed to human poop through sexual contact
Cryptosporidiosis Symptoms
Symptoms generally begin 2 to 10 days after becoming infected with Cryptosporidium. Symptoms include:
- Watery diarrhea
- Stomach cramps or pain
- Dehydration
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Weight loss
Symptoms usually last 1 to 2 weeks in people with healthy immune systems but can last for a month or more. Shedding of Crypto in poop begins when symptoms begin and can last for weeks after symptoms stop.
Sources on Cryptosporidium
The above information can be found on the following pages.
- CDC: Parasites – Cryptosporidium (also known as “Crypto”)open_in_new
- CDC: Foods That Can Cause Food Poisoningopen_in_new
- CDC: Healthy Swimming – Backyard Poolsopen_in_new
Dosage Source
Sensitivity of Bacteria, Protozoa, Viruses, and Other Microorganisms to Ultraviolet Radiation. Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Volume 126, Article No. 126021. August 20, 2021.
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