The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very resistant to chlorine disinfection. Once you feel better, you continue to pass Cryptosporidium in your stool for up to two months, with a continued risk of spreading the infection to others. Symptoms include diarrhea, loose or watery stool, stomach cramps, upset stomach, and a slight fever.
Some people have no symptoms.
Your symptoms may be more severe and could lead to serious or life-threatening illness. See your health care provider. Physicians will ask for stool samples, but testing can be difficult and often takes several days. Most people with a healthy immune system will recover on their own, but those with weakened immune systems and babies are more susceptible. Rapid loss of fluids due to diarrhea can be life-threatening in babies.