'The Biggest Culprit Here Is...': Physician Explains What To Look Out For During Cyclospora Parasite

[00:00:00]I'm really grateful for your expertise today because we are talking all things cycllosporasis outbreak and this is impacting a huge swath of the country so far at least 34 states and earlier this week the CDC said there are close to 7,000 either confirmed or suspected cases. The agency also added this caveat that that number is probably much higher because this is the type of illness that is typically underdiagnosed and under reportported and cycllosporasis that is a tongue twister. That's a big word. But I want to break down exactly what we're dealing with here because in layman's terms it is a food born illness that's caused by a microscopic parasite. And if you eat something that's contaminated, usually it's fresh produce, you get really gnarly symptoms like explosive diarrhea. You're the doctor here. So to start off the conversation, what do we need to know?

[00:00:54]>> Well, exactly like you said, Britney, this is a food born illness. Most people get infected when they drink contaminated water or contaminated food.

[00:01:02]And the biggest culprit here is really produce. So things like lettuce, uh, you know, salads, greens, basil, cilantro, raspberries, that's the culprit in the vast majority of cases. And symptoms usually begin about a week after you're exposed, but it can be anywhere from 2 days to 14 days after. And just as you stated, you know, the symptoms are, of course, explosive, watery diarrhea in addition to nausea, fatigue, bloating.

[00:01:28]But that diarrhea is important, Britney, because it's not your typical stomach bug, which usually the diarrhea lasts for two or three days, but in this case of cycllosporasis, you know, the diarrhea can really last weeks if not months if it's not treated.

[00:01:42]And that's why it's been getting so much concern and attention nationally. So really important if you have diarrhea for more than two or three days, really go to your doctor, get tested, and potentially get treated.

[00:01:53]And I want to ask the nitty-gritty just because I think that this will help a lot of viewers who if they do end up becoming impacted by this. How do you know, hey, you know what? I think that this is seclospiris. This isn't just a normal food poisoning. This isn't just a stomach bug I have right now.

[00:02:12]>> I think it's really the duration of symptoms. So, typically it's the diarrhea. Paying attention to the diarrhea. If you have diarrhea, it hasn't resolved in two or three days, that's a clue that this is probably something else likely cycllosporasis.

[00:02:25]Also, the diarrhea usually waxes and waines. If you feel like you have diarrhea, it's getting better and then you notice all of a sudden it's actually getting worse, another clue that this could be cycllosporitis. And often a lot of patients as the disease progresses can often become dehydrated because they're losing a lot of fluid and volume. And that is also another indication to not only see your doctor but also potentially this could be a case of cycllosphoriasis.

[00:02:50]>> These symptoms are miserable, right? No one wants any gastrointestinal issue where you are kind of changed to your bathroom. But what is that treatment plan? And when should someone go to the doctor? At what point do you say, "Hey, I need a doctor's help versus I'm just going to lock myself in the bathroom for a few days and hope for the best." Well, the good news, Britney, is that there is a treatment. You know, it's usually antibiotics, something called Bactrum.

[00:03:16]Typically, if you take it for seven to 10 days, people feel significantly better. So, that's the good news. Uh, I would see a doctor if I have diarrhea that persists for more than 3 days. I would see a doctor if I'm extremely fatigued, I'm tired, and I feel like I can't do some of the things that I normally can do. I would see a doctor if I start to get dehydrated. I'm starting to lose a lot of fluids. I notice that I'm losing a lot of weight. Absolutely.

[00:03:38]Go see your doctor. ask questions, get tested, and feel better. You know, this is not something that's going to resolve on its own. Potentially, it can resolve on its own, but you don't want symptoms to last months as it can for psychosporasis.

[00:03:51]>> I want to touch on something you said earlier in the conversation, which is it could take a few days for the symptoms to materialize once you ingested the contaminated food. So, how hard is it then to nail down what exactly was the contaminated produce or food that you ingested in the first place? It's very difficult and that's part of the problem on why we haven't been able to contain this outbreak very well because sometimes symptoms can take up to two weeks to develop and obviously if it takes two weeks then by the time you get the symptoms that produce may not be available to test and that's why it's been very difficult to pinpoint exactly what manufacturer what type or what brand of uh produce is really causing this outbreak. So that's been an enormous challenge for public health officials to really know uh and to contain this disease. And also by the time you have symptoms, you know, it it it's often too late. So this is why it's been an an enormous challenge for public health officials.