Regardless of your efforts to avoid possible contaminated produce, Michigan cases of cyclosporiasis continue to rise. And while the gastrointestinal distress may resolve on its own with time, according to Rebecca Busk-Sutton, D.O., a family medicine specialist at Henry Ford Health, for many, that may not be the case. If you think you may have cyclosporiasis, before deciding to tough out unpleasant symptoms, talk with your doctor to see if antibiotics would be best for you to find relief.
What We Know About Cyclosporiasis
Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness that is caused by a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis. This parasite spreads to people who have ingested food or water that it has contaminated.
Consuming contaminated products can cause food poisoning-type symptoms including:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Bloating and stomach cramps
- Watery diarrhea (with some instances of frequent or explosive bowel movements)
The current outbreak we are seeing has been linked to fresh produce – and while your first thought may be to thoroughly wash any food you bring home from the store, it’s not that simple.
These parasites can live in microscopic crevices on the surface of foods. This is why raspberries, lettuce and herbs are high on the list of possibly contaminated foods because they offer many places for these parasites to hide. While washing your food (even with commercial vegetable and fruit washes or vinegar and baking soda baths) can certainly help reduce the number of parasites, it does not eliminate them completely.
Cooking produce to 158 degrees Fahrenheit is the only way to complete kill this parasite on contaminated goods.
Treating Cyclosporiasis
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Cyclosporiasis may clear up on its own anywhere from a few days to several weeks. The longer you deal with symptoms, the greater your risk for severe dehydration, unexpected weight loss and a weakened immune system. In some cases, your symptoms may go away for a time and then come back. Seeking treatment earlier is the best way to shorten the duration of illness and avoid symptom recurrence.
Cyclosporiasis is often treated with antibiotics called trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). In addition to antibiotics, your provider may also prescribe antidiarrheal medications and encourage you to stay hydrated. With proper diagnosis and treatment, most people will feel better in a few days to a week. Even if you are feeling better, make sure that you complete the full prescribed antibiotics course to prevent symptoms from returning.
Protecting Yourself And Family From Cyclosporiasis
While health experts still look for answers to which products are tied to the current outbreak, that doesn’t mean you have to completely skip the produce aisle. You might consider trying these options instead:
- Bananas
- Avocados
- Melons
- Citrus fruits
- Dried herbs
- Canned vegetables and fruits
- Commercially frozen vegetables and fruits
Cooking methods to try:
- Using berries to make jam or a pie instead of eating raw
- Roast, steam or sauté vegetables before eating
- Incorporating produce into soups or stews
And in the meantime, it may be best to avoid the following:
- Fresh berries
- Fresh herbs
- Bagged or prewash lettuce, kale, spinach or salad mixes
- Salad bars
- Pre-cut fruits and vegetables
- Pre-made guacamole, salsas or chutneys
If you begin experiencing symptoms of cyclosporiasis, seek care from your primary care provider or at a same-day care clinic. The sooner you are able to get evaluated, the sooner your provider can decide if moving forward with testing or beginning immediate treatment is right for you.
Reviewed by Dr. Rebecca Busk-Sutton, Medical Director of Primary Care Quality and Resource Stewardship at Henry Ford Health.
