Doctors warn your 'stomach bug' may actually be a parasite that's harder to detect

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CDC charismatic outlines severity of cyclosporiasis arsenic cases surges crossed US

Cases of Cyclosporiasis, a foodborne parasitic illness, are skyrocketing crossed 34 states, pinch astir 7,000 confirmed aliases nether investigation cases. CDC Deputy Director Gwen Biggerstaff highlights that symptoms for illustration diarrhea and cramping tin beryllium severe, urging affected individuals to consult doctors astir circumstantial antibiotic treatments. The CDC anticipates identifying nan outbreak's root soon.

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Health officials are informing that what galore group disregard arsenic a regular summertime tummy bug whitethorn really beryllium cyclosporiasis, arsenic nan U.S. experiences 1 of its largest foodborne parasite outbreaks connected record.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed much than 1,600 home cases of cyclosporiasis since May, pinch complete 5,100 further cases presently nether investigation.

The intestinal infection is caused by Cyclospora (Cyclospora cayetanensis), a microscopic parasite that spreads done contaminated nutrient aliases water.

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The outbreak has sickened thousands of people, peculiarly successful Midwestern states specified arsenic Michigan and Ohio, causing prolonged bouts of terrible gastrointestinal illness.

Symptoms usually statesman astir 1 week aft consuming contaminated nutrient aliases water, though nan incubation play tin scope from astir 2 days to 2 weeks, according to nan CDC.

Woman sits connected a sofa holding her tummy pinch a achy expression.

Patients should activity diagnostic testing done their superior attraction physician, redeeming nan emergency section for nan curen of terrible dehydration. (iStock)

Early symptoms tin overlap pinch those of a communal viral tummy bug, including abdominal pain, nausea and watery diarrhea. Some patients besides acquisition nonaccomplishment of appetite, fatigue and weight loss.

The superior differences dishonesty successful really agelong nan unwellness lasts and really terrible nan symptoms become, according to Dr. Kenneth Perry, an emergency expert based successful South Carolina.

HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS STOMACH BUG SPREADS FAST, HITTING CERTAIN PATIENTS HARDEST

Routine stomach bugs are typically short-lived, resolving wrong 24 to 48 hours, nan expert said. Even if mild symptoms linger, patients mostly consciousness amended aft 2 days.

"Cyclospora is different successful this regard," Perry told Fox News Digital. "It lasts longer, pinch acold much profound watery, foul-smelling diarrhea and abdominal cramping."

Cyclosporiasis outbreak illustration

A monolithic surge successful Cyclospora cases intends group whitethorn beryllium mistaking this parasitic foodborne infection for a modular summertime tummy bug. (iStock)

It is imaginable to trial for Cyclospora, but healthcare providers must specifically petition it, arsenic nan parasite is not routinely included successful modular stool testing and galore gastrointestinal PCR panels do not observe it, according to nan CDC.

Diagnosis is made by examining stool specimens, though patients whitethorn request to taxable respective samples collected connected different days, arsenic moreover symptomatic group whitethorn not shed capable of nan parasite for it to beryllium readily detected, per nan supra source.

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If symptoms powerfully propose Cyclospora contempt an first antagonistic test, nan screening whitethorn request to beryllium repeated, Perry noted.

A superior attraction expert is often nan champion constituent of interaction for patients seeking a diagnosis, arsenic astir regular stool tests performed successful emergency departments do not surface for Cyclospora. A family expert tin bid nan specialized trial if it's suspected.

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"The emergency section is nan due mounting for treating downstream symptoms, specified arsenic nausea, diarrhea and dehydration," Perry told Fox News Digital.

People who fishy they person contracted nan parasite tin besides cheque FDA and CDC food information alerts to spot whether they whitethorn person been exposed to a recalled aliases implicated product.

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While regular tummy viruses usually resoluteness wrong 48 hours, Cyclospora infections linger overmuch longer pinch severe, watery and foul-smelling diarrhea. (iStock)

Patients should besides attraction connected staying hydrated by monitoring their urine output. Perry recommends utilizing over-the-counter pediatric formulas, which connection a much effective salt-to-sugar ratio than commercialized sports drinks.

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Anyone whose diarrhea lasts much than 2 to 3 days, worsens aliases is accompanied by signs of dehydration should interaction a superior attraction physician.

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Unlike astir viral tummy bugs, Cyclospora is treatable pinch medicine antibiotics. The CDC recommends trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) arsenic nan modular treatment, while group who cannot return sulfa narcotics should talk alternatives pinch their healthcare provider.

Khloe Quill is simply a lifestyle writer pinch Fox News Digital. She and nan manner squad screen a scope of communicative topics including nutrient and drink, travel, and health. 

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