Crypto diarrhea illness in Shelby County
Cryptosporidium, also known as crypto is a germ that causes diarrhea. An individual becomes infected with crypto by accidentally swallowing feces-contaminated food or water or having contact with other feces-contaminated objects.
Crypto is easily spread person-to-person. Currently there are outbreaks of crypto in several Iowa counties. The Shelby County area has had two confirmed cases recently.
Crypto causes watery diarrhea, which can result in dehydration. Symptoms typically occur 2 to 12 days after exposure but the illness may go in cycles of getting better, then worse before the illness ends.
