Methods Of Treating Cyclosporiasis

September 28, 2023

Cyclosporiasis, otherwise known as a cyclospora infection, occurs when an individual becomes infected by a cyclospora parasite. This single-celled parasite often exists in tropical areas, meaning travelers to tropical regions may be at an increased risk. In cases that don't occur in tropical areas, individuals usually become infected due to contaminated vegetables or fruits that haven't been properly washed. Cyclosporiasis tends to cause severe bouts of diarrhea, and it's diagnosed through finding the parasite in a stool sample. After this definitive cause is detected, the main course of treatment is antibiotics. Patients may also undergo varying home remedies to deal with the side effects of the parasitic infection.

Treating Fluid Loss

The most common side effect of diarrhea is a loss of bodily fluid, which means treating fluid loss is an important aspect of treating cyclosporiasis. In most cases, healthy adults don't need to do anything more than drinking water. They might also drink sports drinks to replenish electrolytes, but water should be a higher priority. If children and infants are infected, it might be better to use rehydration beverages in addition to water. Parents should avoid giving their children carbonated beverages or sports drinks to rehydrate, as these fluids don't have the correct nutrient balance for a child's system.

Watch And Wait

Patients with mild cases of cyclosporiasis might not need to seek medical intervention, as the infection will clear up on its own. As long as patients treat the loss of fluid and can do so at home, they can watch and wait to see if the issue clears up by itself. Many other causes of diarrhea will also resolve on their own when they are mild. With that said, if the illness lasts longer than a few days, it's time to call a doctor.

Patients should also get in contact with their doctor if the dehydration doesn't seem to be responding to normal fluid intake. If a doctor's visit does occur, make a list of the symptoms experienced, explain any recent exposure to possible infection sources, give a detailed medical history, and write down any important questions to ask the doctor.

Rest

Diarrhea and other symptoms of cyclosporiasis can leave patients feeling unwell, weak, and tired. These symptoms might persist even after the primary infection has cleared up. As such, it's important to relax and take some time to let the body recover. Patients should get as much sleep as they possibly can. Listen to the cues the body gives. If you're still feeling tired, for instance, this tends to be a sign more sleep is necessary for recovery.

When symptoms begin to alleviate, patients can slowly increase their level of activity, though they should still get a sufficient amount of rest. Start by sitting outside and breathing fresh air for a few minutes periodically throughout the day. When patients feel well enough, they can also add a short walk outside to their routine.

Nutrition During Recovery

During the recovery process, it is important to ensure the body is receiving enough nutrients to help the immune system fight against cyclosporiasis as effectively as possible. Be sure to eat healthy and balanced foods, and avoid potentially aggravating ones such as spicy foods, fast food, and other unhealthy choices like chips, candy, and high-fat food. At the beginning of treating cyclosporiasis, it can be helpful to follow a diet similar to the one a patient would follow if they had food poisoning. In this case, the most popular choice is the BRAT diet, which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These foods are easy for the stomach to tolerate, which means there is less of a chance diarrhea will occur.

Prevention

Prevent a recurrence of cyclosporiasis by avoiding drinking water from streams and ensuring all food has been thoroughly washed and cooked before consumption. Always thoroughly rinse vegetables and fruits under tap water before cooking or eating raw and use a dedicated brush for firm vegetables and fruits. If there are any bruised or otherwise damaged parts of the fruit or vegetable, cut it away before eating.

It is also crucial to wash hands with soap and warm water before as well as after preparing vegetables and fruits. Furthermore, after preparing these foods, be sure to clean all utensils, cutting boards, and other objects that came into contact with these fruits and vegetables. Proper storage of fruits and vegetables is also an essential aspect of preventing cyclosporiasis. After cooking, peeling, cutting, or otherwise preparing fruits and vegetables, store them in the appropriate containers in the refrigerator within two hours. Be sure they are separated from any raw meat in the fridge as well to avoid cross-contamination.

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