Cryptosporidiosis Outbreaks Associated With Recreational Water Use -- Five States, 2006
Cryptosporidiosis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by parasitic protozoa of the genus Cryptosporidium and can produce watery diarrhea lasting 1-3 weeks1; one or two cases per 100,000 population are reported annually in the United States.2-3 Fecal-oral transmission of Cryptosporidium oocysts occurs through ingestion of contaminated drinking or recreational water, consumption of contaminated food, and contact with infected persons or animals (e.g., cattle or sheep).
I have had the misfortune of being infected with Crypto 2 times. Once working with cattle that had the parasite and once through water. I am in no way a medical expert but, I have found that gravol reduces the symptoms and pain by about 90 percent.