So you think you caught cyclospora, the diarrhea-causing parasite. Here’s what to do next

So you think you caught cyclospora – “`html

So You Think You Caught Cyclospora? Here’s What to Do

So you think you caught cyclospora? Ann McNitt certainly did. The 67-year-old retired nurse found herself in a Michigan emergency room this month, battling nausea, vomiting, and relentless diarrhea. McNitt had spent two exhausting days making trips to the bathroom every 20 to 30 minutes, worried about dehydration and potassium depletion. “I went to the emergency room, still feeling horrible,” she recalled.

With over 40 years of nursing experience and memories of what she suspects was norovirus decades ago, McNitt recognized the warning signs. Doctors immediately started her on an IV for fluids and prescribed potassium tablets. They also ran a test for cyclospora, the notorious parasite responsible for thousands of severe diarrhea cases nationwide.

Since late June, thousands of Michiganders have developed the uncomfortable, long-lasting symptoms linked to this parasite. The CDC and FDA have confirmed that shredded iceberg lettuce sold at Taco Bell is connected to the outbreak across at least five states. Taylor Fresh Foods, the produce supplier behind the contaminated lettuce, announced Friday that it is pulling all its iceberg lettuce from central Mexico out of the US market.

The company clarified that its other products remain unaffected and that its Taylor Farms branded salad kits do not contain iceberg lettuce. Meanwhile, Taco Bell confirmed it has removed Taylor Farms lettuce from both its restaurants and nationwide supply chain. Just two days after McNitt’s hospital visit, she received the call: she had tested positive for cyclosporiasis, the illness caused by the parasite, which is frequently associated with contaminated raw produce.

“Any persistent chronic diarrhea — it comes and goes, it lasts for more than a week — for anyone, I think that that is [when] you’d go to get tested,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine and associate dean for regional campuses in the UCSF School of Medicine.

In the two weeks before falling ill, McNitt had consumed “a couple tacos at Taco Bell” and “a couple prepackaged salad kits from the grocery store” — details she recalled during a 45-minute phone call with a Michigan Department of Health contact tracer. Michigan’s case count now exceeds 5,000, with more than 100 hospitalizations. The CDC is also investigating cases beyond the Midwest outbreak, with 34 states reporting cases since May 1, some at higher-than-typical levels.

Understanding the Symptoms and Recovery

Health officials acknowledge that cyclospora cases are likely underreported. The symptoms mimic other common stomach bugs, and many people attempt to wait out the illness at home rather than seeking medical attention. If you suspect you may have caught the misery-inducing bug of the summer, understanding the timeline is crucial.

Symptoms of cyclospora infection typically appear two to 14 days after exposure, making it challenging to pinpoint the source. The hallmark sign is frequent, watery diarrhea. Additional symptoms may include nausea, fatigue, increased gas, bloating, loss of appetite, or weight loss.

Other indicators encompass vomiting, body aches, headache, low-grade fever, and flu-like symptoms. The tricky aspect of cyclosporiasis is that symptoms can persist for weeks — and occasionally extend beyond a month. Dr. Timothy Brewer, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at UCLA, noted that until symptoms develop, there is no cause for concern if you recently ate at Taco Bell, particularly in states without a major outbreak.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Similar to other gastrointestinal illnesses like norovirus, severe dehydration remains the primary concern. Because cyclosporiasis can last an extended period, constant dehydration and difficulty absorbing nutrients can significantly impact the body. While no deaths have been reported in this year’s outbreaks, severe dehydration can lead to serious complications including low blood pressure, kidney issues, rapid heart rate, electrolyte imbalances, and strokes, according to Dr. Chin-Hong.

Many people recover from cyclosporiasis independently, but recent FDA guidance recommends contacting your healthcare provider if you suspect infection. Diarrhea and other symptoms lasting more than a few days signal it’s time to consult a doctor. Even watery diarrhea persisting longer than three days may warrant evaluation.

“Generally, when we think about patients with diarrhea, we recommend getting evaluated sooner rather than later in certain conditions,” Brewer said. Even if you don’t test positive for cyclospora, symptoms such as bloody stools, fever, shaking, chills, confusion, and severe fatigue should prompt medical attention.

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