Cryptosporidium and Giardia

• Cryptosporidiosis (krip-toe-spo-rid-e-o-sis) is the disease, often called "crypto," caused by a single-celled animal, cryptosporidium parvum.
• Tiny oocysts, shell-like coverings protect the cryptosporidium inside. Oocysts can be ingested by humans through a variety of ways including drinking water. Once inside the human digestive system, the oocyst breaks open releasing cryptosporidium parasites into the intestinal lining. The resulting infection and irritation is called cryptosporidiosis. The cryptosporidium then infect the lining of the small intestine. The infected cells lining the small intestine appear normal, but their ability to absorb water and nutrients is severely impaired. The water and food ingested by the infected person simply pass through the digestive system. After infection, an individual can pass cryptosporidia in the stool for months, and may give the disease to other people. Cryptosporidium can be found on clothing, bedding or other things used by infected persons, such as persons with diarrhea or children in diapers. This is why it is important that individuals always wash their hands after touching these things and before touching food or the mouth.
• Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite, not a bacteria or virus. It cannot be seen with the naked eye.
• Cryptosporidiosis infection can be caused by swallowing only a small amount of cryptosporidium and/or the oocysts.
• Although cryptosporidium can be found in approximately 95 percent of the surface water in the United States, concentrations of the organism vary greatly. At low concentrations, the organism most likely will not cause disease in healthy individuals.
• Cryptosporidium is not killed or eliminated from water by the chlorine used to treat municipality drinking water.
• Cryptosporidium and Giardia are very resistant and MAY NOT BE KILLED by traditional disinfection agents such as chlorine and ultraviolet light. These organisms are often not removed by municipal water treatment. Today there is still a debate over chlorine and UV lights effectiveness so at this time you should not rely on these technologies untill a more definitive answer is available.
• Point-of-use filters that remove particulates one micrometer or less in diameter are effective against cryptosporidium and giardia. Filters in this category include those labeled as "Absolute" 1 or less micron filters (1 micron, 0.5 micron, etc.. the smaller the number the better), or those labeled as certified by NSF International under NSF standard 53 for cyst removal. Note: The "Nominal" one micron filter may not reliably remove Cryptosporidium. It must be an "Absolute" 1 micron or less!
• Ozone gas is being investigated for large treatment plants but it is a very expensive and costly method because it requires long contact times and high concentrations of ozone to be effective.
• Water Distillers are probably the BEST effective method of combating cryptosporidium. Distillation is one of the MOST effective, reliable and consistent methods of eliminating the threat of microbiological contaminants such as cryptosporidium and giardia. Reverse osmosis (RO) is another good method of stopping them as well!
• When people get infected with cryptosporidium they can have watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, an upset stomach and/or a slight fever.
• There are no drugs that can cure cryptosporidiosis.
• Cryptosporidiosis can also be fatal. Individuals who are most at risk are the immune suppressed, infants, children, the elderly, cancer patients, organ-transplant recipients and people who are HIV positive or have AIDS. Others also at risk are farmers, veterinarians, day care and heath professionals.
• The first symptoms of crypto may appear 2 to 10 days after a person becomes infected. In a healthy person with a normal immune system, symptoms normally will last for about two weeks or less, although individuals may recover then get worse again. Some people with crypto may not get sick, but they can still pass the disease to others. After infection an individual can pass cryptosporidia in the stool for months, and may give the disease to other people.
• In 1993, cryptosporidium captured the nation's attention. Its presence in the Milwaukee public water supply gave more than 400,000 people acute and often prolonged diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. 4,000 people had to be hospitalized and by the time the outbreak ended, 100 people had died. It was the largest episode of waterborne disease in the United States in the 70 years since health officials began tracking such outbreaks. Since the Milwaukee outbreak in 1993, concern about the safety of drinking water in the United States has increased.
• In 1994, dozens of cases of cryptosporidiosis were also reported among aids patients in the city of Las Vegas.
• An NBC made for TV movie called "Thirst" (aired Oct. 26, 1998) raises public awareness and interest about the cryptosporidium parasite.
• Unfortunately, assessing the risk of Cryptosporidium infection from your drinking water is difficult. Many cities do not test for Cryptosporidium in their water because testing is expensive and time-consuming, and the results are difficult to interpret. A positive test does not necessarily mean there is a risk, and a negative test does not necessarily mean there is no risk.
• Giardiasis, which is caused by Giardia cyst, is one of the most common causes of diarrhea in North America. Infection is more common among children and may last for up to three weeks. Unlike cryptosporidiosis, giradiasis may be effectively treated with antibiotics.

Remember: "Cryptosporidium is NOT a Bacteria or Virus... It is a Parasite!"