Cryptosporidium parvum
Cryptosporidium parvum (pronounced: krip-toh-spor-id-ee-um par-vum) is a species of protozoan that can cause a gastrointestinal illness known as cryptosporidiosis.
Etymology
The name Cryptosporidium parvum is derived from the Greek words kryptos meaning hidden and sporidium meaning small seed, referring to the tiny, hidden spores of the organism. The species name parvum is Latin for small, indicating the small size of the organism.
Description
Cryptosporidium parvum is a microscopic parasite that lives in the intestines of infected hosts, often mammals such as humans and cattle. It is one of the most common causes of waterborne disease in humans worldwide. The parasite is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, often through contaminated water or food.
Symptoms
Infection with Cryptosporidium parvum can lead to cryptosporidiosis, which is characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss. These symptoms can be severe in people with weakened immune systems.
Treatment
Treatment for cryptosporidiosis typically involves managing symptoms and boosting the immune system. In severe cases, antiparasitic medication may be prescribed.
Prevention
Prevention strategies include practicing good hygiene, avoiding potentially contaminated water or food, and taking precautions when traveling to areas with poor sanitation.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cryptosporidium parvum
- Wikipedia's article - Cryptosporidium parvum
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski